ERIC Number: EJ828732
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Feb
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Racial, Ethnic, and Sex Differences in the Associations between Violence and Self-Reported Health among US High School Students
Bossarte, Robert M.; Swahn, Monica H.; Breiding, Matt
Journal of School Health, v79 n2 p74-81 Feb 2009
Background: Involvement in interpersonal violence or suicidal behaviors can have a significant impact on an adolescent's physical health. Similarly, previous research has suggested that lived experiences, more than the presence or absence of physical ailments, can significantly influence self-assessed health status among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between involvement in violence and poor or fair self-reported health among US high school students. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2005 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 13,953). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between violence-related measures and self-reported health while controlling for demographic characteristics and potential confounders. Analyses are presented for students overall and stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. Results: Overall, 7.2% of students reported fair or poor self-rated health. Having been in a physical fight, having been injured in a physical fight, having attempted suicide, and having not gone to school because of safety concerns were significantly associated with fair or poor self-rated health after controlling for demographic characteristics and other potential confounders. Differences associated with race/ethnicity and sex are identified. Conclusions: Four of the 5 violence-related measures included in these analyses were significantly associated with fair or poor self-rated health. Future studies should consider the impact of involvement in violent behaviors and perceptions of both physical and mental well-being. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Ethnicity, Racial Differences, Socioeconomic Influences, Economically Disadvantaged, Health Conditions, Physical Health, At Risk Students, Suicide, Adolescents, Organizations (Groups), Violence, Interpersonal Relationship, High School Students, Psychological Patterns, School Safety, Whites, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Health Behavior, Smoking, Drinking, Eating Habits, Gender Differences, Incidence, Victims of Crime, Injuries, Fear, Dating (Social)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A