CORRELATES OF AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT BEHAVIORS AMONG PUBLIC HIGH-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS

Purpose: This study analyzed the types and predictors of violent behav iors reported by 4,137 South Carolina adolescents, grades nine through twelve. Methods: The 70 item self-report Youth Risk Behavior Survey d eveloped and piloted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was utilized in 57 of the state's public high schools. A series of lo gistic regression analyses were performed for each race/gender group t o explore the relation of the demographic and potential risk variables to fighting and carrying weapons. Results: Results indicate that 38 p ercent of males and II percent of females reported carrying a weapon. Eleven percent of males and five percent of females reported fights re sulting in an injury. The strongest predictors of fighting were binge drinking and sexual activity for males, any alcohol use and illegal dr ug use for white females, and sexual activity for black females. For c arrying a weapon, the strongest predictors included alcohol use and se xual activity in all but white females, and illegal drug use among whi tes, but not blacks. Conclusion: Prevention of adolescent violence cal ls for creative approaches in school and community settings and will r equire long-term intervention strategies, focused on adolescent behavi or change and environmental modifications.