RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AMONG YOUNG-ADULTS - MODERATING AND CONFOUNDING EFFECTS

Understanding racial differences in violent behavior has become a rese arch priority due to increasing rates of violence among adolescents an d young adults, especially African American males. Socioeconomic statu s (SES) has been shown to be an important variable in helping to expla in racial differences in health-related behaviors. This study investig ated the moderating and confounding effects of SES on the relationship between race and violent behavior in a sample of young adults (N = 1, 559). The possible confounding effects of selected risk factors (e.g., selling drugs, witnessing violence) also were examined. Findings sugg est that racial differences in violent behavior only exist among young adults of low SES and that finer SES distinctions within this group d o not explain these differences. However; exposure to violence, a corr elate of SES, accounted for racial differences in this subgroup. Futur e studies on racial differences in violence should examine further the role of SES and related risk factors.