Citation

Simon TR, Richardson JL, Dent CW, Chou CP, Flay BR. Am. J. Public Health 1998; 88(6): 960-963.

Affiliation

Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. tgs9@cdc.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9618630

PMCID

PMC1508214

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study identified behavioral and psychosocial/interpersonal factors in young adolescence that are associated with handgun carrying in later adolescence. METHODS: A sample of 2,200 high school students was surveyed at 9th grade and again at 12th grade. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that measures of risk-taking preference, depression, stress, temper, and drug use assessed while the students were in 9th grade were predictive of handgun carrying in 12th grade for both male and female students. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need for a comprehensive approach to prevention that focuses on both individual and interpersonal factors associated with adolescents' decision to carry a handgun.