Abstracts » Health

Violent crime in the United States: an epidemiologic profile

Article Abstract:

Violent crime rates appear to have increased among youth while declining or remaining stable among other age groups. Researchers used data from several nationwide databases to track trends in crime from the early 1970s through 1992. Overall violent crime increased by 81% with a twofold increase in aggravated assault, while murder rates varied little. According to another database, violent crime rates remained stable. All databases showed marked increases in violent crime rates in youths and young adults. Blacks were disproportionately affected. For example, the homicide rate among black males aged 15 to 24 was more than nine times the rate among white males. Particularly concerning was the increase in murders among children aged 10 to 14, which went up 93%. Guns were involved in over 60% of the murders, and the greatest rate of increase in murders involving guns was in children aged 10 to 14.

Demographic aspects, Violent crimes, Violent deaths

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Distress symptoms among urban African American children and adolescents: a psychometric evaluation of the Checklist of Children's Distress Symptoms

Article Abstract:

The Checklist of Children's Distress Symptoms (CCDS) appears to be effective in diagnosing psychological distress in African-American children and teenagers. Researchers used the CCDS on 349 urban African-American children and teenagers. Children and teens who experienced violence either as a witness or victim were more likely to have higher scores than those who did not. When the CCDS questions were grouped into six categories, questions that assessed intrusive thoughts, distraction and lack of belongingness were most often associated with exposure to violence.

Psychological aspects, Diagnosis, Violence, African American youth, African American teenagers, Stress in adolescence, Childhood stress (Psychology)

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Parental Influence on Adolescent Sexual Behavior in High-Poverty Settings

Article Abstract:

Inner-city children will be less likely to begin sexual intercourse at an early age if their parents communicate the risks of doing so. This was the conclusion of a study of 355 African-American children living in urban public housing. Children whose parents communicated with them and monitored their activities were less likely to have sex at an early age. They were also more likely to use condoms when they did start having sex.

Sexual behavior, Analysis, Teenagers, Parent and child, Parent-child relations, Teenage sexual behavior

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