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Abstract #151665

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Bill Sanders, PhD¹, Stephen E. Lankenau, PhD¹, Jennifer Jackson Bloom, MPH², and Dodi Hathazi, BS². (1) Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028, 310-429-4085, bsanders@chla.usc.edu, (2) Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028

Background: Research indicates that ‘high risk' youth such as injection drug users and the homeless are often victims of violence. Methods: Data are based upon in depth interviews with 62 young injection drug users (IDUs) aged 16-29 recruited in Los Angeles between 2005 and 2007. Questions focused on dimensions of violence. Findings: All of the youth were IDUs, all were currently homelessness and all had histories of involvement in the criminal justice system. Many of these youths grew up with violence: 37.1% described the neighborhoods they grew up in as ‘unsafe'; 56.5% mentioned bullying in their schools; and 53.2% discussed violence and fighting in their neighborhoods. Abuse in the home by a parent or guardian was relatively common: 39.7% reported physical abuse; 3.2% were forced to use drugs/alcohol; 7.9% were forced to have sex. Moreover, 17.5% reported at least one of these forms of abuse by other youth in these households. Abuse by an adult in an institutional setting was less common: 16.1% reported physical abuse; and 1.6% reported sexual abuse. Violence on the streets or while homeless was more common: 51.6% were physically abused/fought; 3.2% were forced to used drugs/alcohol; 25.8% were forced to have sex. Moreover, 64.5% witnessed at least one of these forms of violence. In terms of violence perpetration, 46.8% have physically abused someone at least once either in a household setting, institution, or while experiencing homelessness. Conclusion: The data offer further support for a relationship between violence victimization and violence perpetration amongst high risk youth.

Learning Objectives:

• 1)Describe forms of violence in the lives of high risk youth.
• 2)Identify the self-reported negative outcomes associated with violence victimization amongst high risk youth.
• 3)Examine risk and protective factors associated with violence amongst high risk youth.

Keywords: Youth Violence, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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