U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Review of the Evidence on the Relationship Between Gender and Adolescents' Involvement in Violent Behavior

NCJ Number
239845
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2012 Pages: 297-310
Author(s)
Sarah Baxendale; Donna Cross; Robyn Johnston
Date Published
August 2012
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A review of the literature published between 1990 and 2011 was conducted to examine the risk and protective factors associated with gender and adolescents' involvement in violent behavior.
Abstract
Adolescents' involvement in violence is a public health concern worldwide, with male adolescents more likely than female adolescents to be involved. A review of the literature published between 1990 and 2011 was conducted to examine the risk and protective factors associated with gender and adolescents' involvement in violent behavior. While research suggests there is an association between gender and involvement in violent behavior, the strength of this association appears to be mediated by gender relationships with other risk and protective factors. Moreover, these relationships appear to vary amongst different communities. Prior to the development and implementation of violence prevention strategies, consideration should be given to collecting longitudinal data specific to the target community. These data would guide the development of effective prevention strategies to ensure they address local needs, influences, and associations between gender and other risk and protective factors. (Published Abstract)