One-year prediction of violence perpetration among high-risk youth

Objective: Measures of drug use, law-abidance beliefs, sensation seeking, f ear of victimization, high-risk group identification, self- protection need s and behaviors, and demographics were investigated as longitudinal predict ors of violence perpetration among 870 high-risk adolescents. Method: Self- reports from the same youth were obtained 1-year apart. Results: In additio n to baseline violence perpetration, marijuana use, relatively young age, m ale sex, high-risk group self-identification, low perceived efficacy of the police department, and nonavoidance of dangerous places predicted later pe rpetrated violence. Conclusion: Personal and social factors beyond baseline violent behavior predict risk for future violent behavior.