Citation

Heinze JE, Carter PM, Ngo Q, Zimmerman MA, Walton MAL, Cunningham RM. J. Adolesc. Health 2018; 62(5): 598-604.

Affiliation

Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Youth Violence Prevention Center, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan; University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Emergency Medicine, Hurley Medical Center, Flint, Michigan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.304

PMID

29501280

Abstract

PURPOSE: Perpetration of violent behavior begins to increase in adolescence and peaks in young adulthood (e.g., age 18-29) before decreasing by the early 30s. Considerable variability in reported perpetration, targets, and severity of violence suggests youth may change their violent behavior patterns over time.

METHODS: We use latent transition analysis to describe profiles of violent behavior against partners and nonpartners in an at-risk sample of young adults (N = 599; 59% male; 61% African-American) over a period of 2 years.

RESULTS: A four-class solution provided the best fit to the data, with classes corresponding to (1) nonviolent behavior (48.3% of the sample); (2) violent only toward nonpartners (22.3%); (3) violent only toward partners (16.0%); and (4) violent toward nonpartners and partners (13.4%). Participants' sex, race, age, previous violent injury, antisocial behavior, alcohol dependence, and possession of firearms were associated with baseline class membership.

CONCLUSIONS: Implications for prevention are discussed.

Copyright © 2017 The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Partner; Peers; Transition; Violence; Young adult