Explores the extent and patterning of drug use among young people in Northern Ireland, linking them to the major cease fires. Examines media and professional perceptions alongside evidence constructed from multiple indicators of drug use. Results suggest that most drug use has not increased since the cease fires, with the exception of the heroin…

Used longitudinal Denver Youth Survey data to examine repeat victimization and concentration of victimization among a relatively few high-frequency victims and intermittency of victimization in a sample of adolescents in a high-risk neighborhood. Chronic, multiple, intermittent victimization was the usual pattern among respondents. Men had higher…

Interviews with preadolescents (n=14) and their mothers provide a detailed description of the experiences of children exposed to violence at home. Findings, which are organized into five phases, indicate potential directions for understanding and intervening with children exposed to women being battered. (SLD)

Reports using data from the Denver Youth Survey to investigate the influence of family factors in predicting adolescent victimization. Results indicate that family context (particularly parental problem behavior), family involvement, adolescent social isolation from the family, and positive parenting were predictive of adolescent victimization,…

Investigated how at-risk youth in Hawaii experienced their own ethnicity and gender. Data from focus groups with diverse adolescents at youth centers indicated that theoretical frameworks must incorporate unique circumstances within differing communities, such as interethnic violence, sexual exploitation, and immigration patterns. (SM)

Compared commercial ratings of electronic games with ratings by 201 fourth graders. There was general agreement for games with obviously nonviolent or very violent content, but much more disagreement about the violence in cartoon-type games. Recommends including consumer perceptions in a rating system. (SLD)

Examines trends in the well being of Swedish youth to determine whether they show improvement or deterioration since the passage of the 1979 corporal punishment ban. Data collected from various national sources indicate that rates of involvement in crime, substance use, rape, and suicide have decreased. Trends in rates of nonsexual assaults are…

This study examines how early entries into adult roles are associated with aggressive and violent behavior occurring from early adolescence to young adulthood among 499 males and 578 females living in low-income, central-city neighborhoods. Among males, engagement in adult roles accounted for the relationship between higher levels of aggressive…

Examined the relationship between various methods of operationalizing gang membership and delinquency. Surveys of inner city adolescents indicated that teens reporting membership in organized gangs were far more likely to believe their gangs possessed characteristics typically associated with traditional street gangs. Teens who considered…

Examined the impact of homicidal, suicidal, and nonviolent heavy metal and rap songs on the moods of male college undergraduates. Students (n=164) completed mood inventories after listening to 1 of 6 songs. Results show no effects of these songs on suicidal ideation, anxiety, or self-esteem. Rap songs elicited greater angry responses than heavy…

Homeless youth are a population at a high risk for suicidal behavior. A previous exploratory study emphasized the importance of feeling trapped or helpless, which appeared to mediate the impact of other risk variables. Confirmatory work was needed to test this inductively derived model. Two hundred eight homeless youths completed surveys on the…

Qualitative research with 127 low-income young men and women, aged 14 to 30, in Rio de Janeiro found rigid gender roles with males displaying widespread "machista" attitudes (an exaggerated deep structure of masculinity) and acceptance of violence against women that was greater in low-income urban areas. Implications for working with…

Discusses the impact of the troubles in Northern Ireland on the psychological and social well-being and school lives of youth. Although some have suffered great trauma, recent research highlights the resilience of young people exposed to the stress of political conflict. For the majority of youth growing up in Northern Ireland, the future may be…

Examines the relationship between violence exposure and experimentation with cigarettes and alcohol, intentions to use cigarettes and alcohol, health locus of control, and health values. Responses from 110 inner-city children and adolescents ages 10 to 13 years show cigarette use positively associated with violence. Control scales were negatively…

Investigated factors associated with gang involvement among rural and urban adolescents using data from a sample of 1,183 Nevada students in grades 7 through 12. There was no significant difference in gang membership or pressure to join gangs between the rural and urban samples, but there were differences on other gang and violence indicators.…