Correlates and Consequences of Junvenile Exposure to Violence: A Replication and Extension of Major Findings from the National Survey of Adolescents, Executive Summary

摘要

This study examines the impact of exposure to violence on juveniles using data from the 1995 National Survey of Adolescents. Specific concerns are how exposure to violence serves as a risk factor for problems ofjuvenile use of drugs and alcohol, perceptions of violence in schools and communities, and juvenile participation in delinquent activities. This study is organized around two primary goals: (1) determine the impact of exposure to violent acts on juvenile use or abuse of drugs and (2) determine the context and consequences of witnessing violence in schools. To address the first goal, reanalysis of a study based on a nationally representative sample of juveniles seeks to determine whether exposure to violence increases the risk of juveniles abusing or being dependent on drugs or alcohol. In addition to adding new controls to the models, the reanalysis also determines whether exposure to violence influences regular use of alcohol or drugs. Hypothesis 1: Exposure to violence will increase abuse or dependence on drugs or alcohol, while controlling for demographic characteristics, family substance use, and peer deviance. Hypothesis 2: Exposure to violence will increase regular use of drugs or alcohol, while controlling for demographic characteristics, family substance use, and peer deviance. The second objective of this study is to understand the context of violence that occurs within schools and the consequences witnessing such violence has on juveniles. Contextual information includes the types of violence that are witnessed, how recently such incidents occurred, the relationship of both the offender and victim to the witness, and whether the witness felt at risk during the incident.