FR 2-2

6/05

Abstract

The Protective Effects of Youth Assets

Prepared by: Debbie Richardson, Child Development Assistant Specialist

Shannon Dial, Graduate Assistant

OK Cooperative Extension Service

333 HES Bldg., Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK  74078

405-744-6231

debbie.richardson@okstate.edu

Aspy, C.B., Oman, R.F., Vesely, S.K., McLeroy, K., Rodine, S., & Marshall, L. (2004).

Adolescent violence: The protective effects of youth assets. Journal of Counseling & Development, 82, 268-276.

Overview

Researchers have studied youth violence, bullying, aggressive behaviors, and delinquency extensively in hopes of getting to the bottom of the initial problems. Numerous risk factors have been identified with much of the emphasis on “fixing” at-risk youth. While some progress in understanding has been made, less progress has been made in approaches that focus on strengths or assets at the individual, family, and community levels which may

serve to protect and prevent youth involvement in harmful behaviors.

The authors of this article set out to explore the associations of nine assets and six demographic factors with the prevalence of physical fighting and carrying weapons in adolescents, hypothesizing that youth with more assets would be less engaged in physical fighting and weapon carrying than those with fewer assets. Rather than identifying only the negative factors present in these teens’ lives, this study looked at the relationship of protective or positive factors to the likelihood of engaging in certain risk behaviors.

Method

Using random selection, information was obtained from 1,350 households with parents and teens living in two Midwestern inner-city areas. In each household, a parent and teen were interviewed and answered questionnaires by typing in responses to a computer. The youth in the sample were composed of 31% in middle school, 69% in high school, 51% female, 49% male, 48% Caucasian, 23% African-American, 19% Hispanic, and 10% Native American, with 65% in households with less than $35,000 income, and 51% in single-parent households.

Youth assets assessed were non-parental adult role models, peer role models, family communication, constructive use of time with religion, constructive use of time with groups and sports, community involvement, future aspirations, responsible choices, and good health practices. Questions about physical fighting and weapon carrying were also posed as

The Protective Effects of Youth Assets (continued)

well as various related issues such as school involvement, peer relationships, and resolving conflict. Demographic variables included in the analysis were the youth’s grade level, race, gender, the parent’s income and education, and the family structure.

Results

• In the year prior to the survey, 63% of the youth reported not being involved in physical fighting. Significant correlations with no physical fighting were higher grade level, female gender, higher parent income, and two-parent households.
• In the month prior to the survey, 86% reported not carrying a weapon. Only race and gender were significantly related to no weapon carrying, with African Americans, Hispanics, and females being less likely.
• Having peer role models was a greater protector for girls than boys from physical fighting and weapon carrying. Girls with this asset were about 2.5 times more likely to report no physical fighting than girls without peer role models.
• Youth in two parent households with good grades (A or B averages) were over 3 times more likely to report no physical fighting than those without these factors. Similarly, youth in two-parent households that were also involved in groups or sports were significantly less apt to report no physical fighting.
• Six of the measured nine assets were significantly associated with not carrying a weapon. Those with community involvement, future aspirations, nonparental adult role models, peer role models, family communication, or responsible choices were approximately 1.7 to 2 times more prone to report not carrying a weapon.

Points of interest

· This study found the opposite from others regarding minority populations being at higher risk for delinquent behaviors.

· Family communication and responsible choices were commonly related to no physical fighting in all subgroups, reducing the likelihood that youth would be engaged in physical fighting by 1 ½ to 2 times compared to those without these assets.

· Other explanatory variables significantly related with no physical fighting

indicate that being positively connected with school, positive skills managing conflict, and a safe environment in school or the neighborhood are important factors. Not carrying a weapon was also associated with youth making good grades and those perceiving they could communicate well with others.

The authors summarized that youth are less likely to be involved in physical fighting if their parents are understanding, express love, and communicate about problems. Other critical factors are the youth’s ability to refuse activities they believe to be wrong, to identify positive and negative consequences, to make goal-directed decisions, and to use time “to get things done”. Promoting education and activities that foster relationships between teens, their parents and adult role models, and peers is important regardless of current family structure but especially in single-parent homes. Furthermore, encouraging parental and student identification with school, conflict management skills, and safe neighborhoods and school environments should be emphasized.