Yonas Michael A, O'Campo Patricia, Burke Jessica G, Peak Geri, Gielen Andrea C
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, 323-A Rosenau Hall/CB 7440, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA.
J Urban Health. 2005 Dec;82(4):543-51. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jti077. Epub 2005 Jun 15.
This study explored how young boys and girls living in low income urban neighborhoods defined and described reasons associated with youth violence. Five focus groups were conducted with 29 youth between the ages of 8 and 12 recruited from four selected study neighborhoods. Participants were asked to describe youth violence. Appropriate probes were used to explore similarities and differences by gender with regard to the reasons for violence. Definitions of youth violence were consistent across participants and included verbal threats, physical contact, and often the use of a weapon. Several common reasons for violence were found among both boys and girls; romantic relationships, respect, idle time, gangs/cliques, and witnessing violence. Reasons for violence unique to boys include fighting about issues related to money and illicit drugs. Gossip was identified as a reason specific to why girls engage in violence. Youth violence was perceived as a common problem impacting the lives of the boys and girls in this study. Although many of the reasons identified for violence are similar among boys and girls, select gender differences do exist. Future research and prevention efforts to address youth violence should engage young people in efforts to understand and address this important public health topic.
本研究探讨了生活在城市低收入社区的年轻男孩和女孩如何界定和描述与青少年暴力相关的原因。从四个选定的研究社区招募了29名年龄在8至12岁之间的青少年，进行了五个焦点小组讨论。参与者被要求描述青少年暴力。使用了适当的追问方式来探讨在暴力原因方面按性别划分的异同。参与者对青少年暴力的定义是一致的，包括言语威胁、身体接触，而且常常涉及使用武器。在男孩和女孩中都发现了几个暴力的常见原因；恋爱关系、尊重、空闲时间、帮派/小团体以及目睹暴力行为。男孩特有的暴力原因包括因与金钱和非法毒品有关的问题而打架。流言蜚语被确定为女孩实施暴力行为的一个特定原因。在本研究中，青少年暴力被视为影响男孩和女孩生活的一个普遍问题。虽然所确定的许多暴力原因在男孩和女孩中相似，但确实存在一些特定的性别差异。未来针对青少年暴力的研究和预防工作应让年轻人参与进来，以努力理解和解决这一重要的公共卫生话题。
