THE FREQUENCY AND CORRELATES OF VIOLENT BEHAVIORS IN A STATEWIDE SAMPLE OF HIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS

This is a study of the frequency and correlates of selected violent be haviors in public high school students using the 1993 South Carolina Y outh Risk Behavior Survey. The percentage who reported carrying a weap on in the last 30 days varied from 9% among white females to 50% among white males. Over 37% of the students reported being in a fight in th e last month. About 12% reported someone had forced them to have sexua l intercourse, and 6% reported having forced someone else to have sexu al intercourse. The most consistent predictor of all outcomes was subs tance use, though having had sexual intercourse was correlated with mo st outcomes. Health professionals working to prevent violent and aggre ssive behavior among adolescents should incorporate identified risk fa ctors into assessment and intervention efforts that target coexisting high-risk behaviors and provide treatment or referral options.