Citation

Lian B, Abiero B, Kamara P. Soc. Work Public Health 2017; 32(4): 301-309.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health , Mercer University , Macon , Georgia , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19371918.2017.1289873

PMID

28323539

Abstract

Firearm violence has been the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults in the United States since 2000 and is a major public health concern. But firearms may be related to less lethal forms of violence as well. Here we examine the relationship between the presence of a gun in the home and several behavioral and psychosocial measures related to aggression and violence among adolescents using data from a community-based survey of nearly 2,000 youths living in low-income neighborhoods. Our results indicate that adolescents living in homes where a gun is present display more aggressive attitudes and behaviors than their counterparts living in homes with no gun present. More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the relationships, but they may relate to a weapon's effect or social learning.

Language: en

Keywords

Firearms; aggression; neighborhoods; poverty; violence; youth