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Do Prior Trauma and Victimization Predict Weapon Carrying Among Delinquent Youth?

University of Pittsburgh

Matthew O. Howard

University of Michigan

Lisa Harper-Chang

Washington University

This investigation tested whether weapon carrying is a response to a perceived threat posed by prior victimization and traumatic experiences in a state population of incarcerated youth. Structured interviews of 723 youth (ageM = 15.5,SD = 1.23; 87% male) residing in all Missouri Division of Youth Services facilities were conducted. Multivariate analyses revealed that although prior victimization and trauma did increase the likelihood of weapon carrying, the probability of weapon carrying was higher with respect to gang fighting and polysubstance use. And although prior victimization and trauma did possess incremental validity in predicting weapon carrying, having been in a gang fight and lifetime polysubstance use were more potent predictors of weapon carrying. Results provide clear social policy implications in that strategies capable of reducing gang involvement and substance abuse may in turn interrupt the cycle of violence via the mechanism of weapon carrying reduction in high-risk youth.

Key Words: weapon carrying • youth violence • delinquency • trauma • victimization

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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vaughn, M. G. Articles by Harper-Chang, L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?