Youth Violence and Youth Violence Prevention: Part II
Posted: Thursday, July 05, 2007
by Amaal Tokars
America & Iraq: Seduced by Fear
In thinking about youth violence prevention as being three tiered, here are different aspects to consider; Prevention of Violence Towards Others, Prevention of Violence Towards Self, Identification of Signs and Signifiers. In the discussion of youth violence, violence towards others is what is most often referred to. This article will also focus upon violence towards self and signs and signifiers as equally important in preventing youth violence.
While it is good and wise that these areas continue to be addressed, there are individual and family protective factors that are associated with non-violence (Resnik et al., 2004). Some family protective factors against youth violence are; connectedness within family, parental willingness to discuss problems with youth, high parental expectations about school performance, and frequent family activities. Another powerful family protective factor exists when there is a consistent parental presence in the morning, after school, at dinner, and at bedtime. Individual protective factors have found to include; a positive attitude toward healthy behavior, high grade point average, a positive social orientation, a grounded spirituality, and a commitment to school. These are protective factors that are preventative in nature. That is to say that the more likely youth are to manifest such an array of protective factors, the less likely such youth are to take part in violent behavior. Therefore, it is important that parents receive educative information about protective factors before becoming parents, upon becoming parents, and prior to their child’s onset of adolescents.
There are also many sociological conditions that serve to create a haven for youth violence. Three of these are; diminished economic opportunities, high concentrations of poor residents, and socially disorganized neighborhoods (Surgeon General, 2001). Communities and municipal planners must consider the sociological conditions created when communities are being constructed and deconstructed. The pat response of trying to keep the less affluent or the less mainstream out of a community is neither effective nor socially just. Effective and socially just municipal planning does strive for the creative construction of communities and neighborhoods that are inclusive of every socioeconomic status, culturally diverse, and welcoming of a vibrant collective voice.
Youth violence towards the self is referenced less often as an aspect of youth violence, and yet it is an area of growing significance. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among persons aged 10-24 yrs of age (CDC, 2006). Drug and substance abuse among teenagers, is also substantial. Among youth age 12 to 17, over one million meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs (National Youth Network, 2007).
Not only is youth violence towards the self manifested in suicide and substance abuse but it is also manifested in the co-relationship between suicidal behavior and substance use. Among male youth 12-19 years of age; with hallucinogen use disorders, inhalant use disorders, and sedative-hypnotic use disorders, there is a higher risk for attempting suicide. Among female youth 12-19 years of age; with substance abuse disorders (other than marijuana use) there are also higher odds for attempting suicide (Kelly et. al., 2004). Furthermore there is a strong association between mental health struggles and suicidal behavior. Specifically, there is a high correlation between depression and suicide.
Approximately nine percent of youths 12 to 17 years of age, experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year (SAMHSA Press, 2007).
Among youth who had not used alcohol or an illicit drug previously, those with a major depressive episode were about twice as likely to start using alcohol or an illicit drug as youth who had not experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. Among youth who had not used alcohol previously, 29% of those with a major depressive episode initiated alcohol use compared with 15% youth who had not experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. Among youth who had not used an illicit drug previously, 16% of those with a major depressive episode initiated illicit drug use compared with 7% youth who had not experienced a major depressive episode in the past year (NSDUH Report, 2007).
The co-relationship between youth suicidal behavior, youth substance abuse and youth depression is complex, yet the multifaceted evidence that there is a correlation is clear. Therefore mental health psycho-education, substance abuse psycho-education, clinical crisis intervention, clinical suicide intervention, and linkage to respective treatment services should be funded and accessible in all public schools. This should include caring and culturally competent work with parents to support them through their concerns and hardships.
Recognizing signs and signifiers is challenging when it relates to any kind of youth violence. In order to recognize signs and signifiers of youth potential for violence, risk factors specific to youth violence should be understood. Some risk factors for youth violence are:
• peer pressure
• neediness for attention
• feelings of low self-worth
• Childhood abuse
• childhood neglect
• witnessing violence
• access to weapons
• disrespectful perspective of parents
• disrespectful ideologies about others
• threatening behavior
Recognizing the signs and signifiers of youth violence towards self likewise requires a dedication to suicide prevention. Here are some signs specific to youth suicidal behavior that should be understood as a part of an overall theme and not be taken out of context:
• Change in eating/sleeping habits
• Withdrawal from friends/family
• Withdrawal from activities of interest
• Shattered reaction to romantic loss
• Rebellious behavior/running away
• Drug/alcohol use
• Unusual neglect of personal hygiene
• Marked personality change
• Feelings of depression
• Suicidal ideations/comments
Recognizing the signs and signifiers of youth violence towards self includes a need to recognize symptoms of youth substance abuse:
• Sudden personality changes/agitation
• Abrupt changes in school attendance/school work
• Sudden school discipline problems
• Withdrawal from responsibility
• Loss of interest in goal-oriented pursuits
• Changes in friends
• Reluctance to talk about friends
• Reluctance to have friends visit
• Association with substance abusers
• Stealing/Secretive behavior
Signs and signifiers of youth depression are:
• Sadness or irritability
• Anxiety/fearful feelings
• Lack of energy
• Temperamental outbursts
• Sleeping changes (too much/too little)
• Eating changes (too much/too little)
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Withdrawal from activities of interest
• Feelings that things will never get better
There is an overlap in the signs and signifiers of youth violence towards self just as there is a co-relationship between, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, and depression. All signs and signifiers point to youth that may be lonely, left out of mainstream social circles, or struggling with any number of psycho-social stressors. As a part of violence prevention, all signs and signifiers should be taken seriously. They should be promptly reported and addressed by an adult figure that models peace and wisdom. In consideration of cited protective factors; safeguards, supports, or services should be wrapped around the youth. With the prevalence of youth violence on the rise, youth violence prevention is a critical investment in the well-being and leadership of our future citizenry.
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