RISK-FACTORS FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIORS AMONG ETHNICALLY DIVERSE URBAN ADOLESCENTS - BEYOND RACE ETHNICITY/

The higher rate of juvenile homicide among African-American males than among white males has led many to the assumption that blacks are more violent than whites and other racial/ethnic groups. The present study examines that hypothesis in the context of 3955 inner-city Miami boys who were surveyed over a three-year period from grades 6 and 7 to gra des 8 and 9. Concurrent risk factors were more predictive than prospec tive risk. factors in relation to self-reported violence in grades 8 a nd 9. A variety of familial, psychosocial, sociocultural and school-ba sed risk factors for violence were examined. These included race/ethni city, normative values, derogation (from self, teachers and parents), cocaine and crack use, marital and educational status of parents, grad e in school, beliefs (on several levels) and behaviors (delinquency, r esponse to anger, etc). Gun carrying at school was only slightly more prevalent among American blacks (6% for the partial school term) than among whites (4%) and boys of other races. White boys were more likely to carry knives than American blacks. Using a composite of violent be havior, no single racial group was more violent than another (F=.508,p =.83). Haitians, Caribbean blacks and Nicaraguans were more likely to be involved in gangs than other groups. Normlessness, low empathy, ste aling, law-breaking and wanting to quit school and leave home function as a constellation of risk factors that appear to increase the likeli hood of weapon carrying and interpersonal violence regardless of race/ ethnicity. Other risk factors vary by race/culture group.