Health risks of urban youth experiencing victimization, aggression or both

We apply an analytic framework used in international studies of bullying to local-level youth violence data, estimating the prevalence of aggression, victimization, both, and neither and identifying associated health correlates.

New York City (NYC) 2003 and 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data were combined (n=14,881). We examined bivariate and multivariable associations between violence involvement and demographic, social, behavioral, and mental health indicators. Multinomial logistic regression was used for multivariable analyses.

Ten percent of NYC public high school students reported victimization-only; 10.8% were aggressors-only; 4.9% were both. Each group had distinct profiles. Compared to students with no violence experiences, victims were younger [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.7] and had elevated risk of attempted suicide (AOR=1.9), fighting (AOR=1.9), and dating violence (AOR=1.4). Persistent sadness was associated with victimization; the relationship was stronger among male teens compared to females (AOR= 2.7 vs.1.7). Aggressors were more likely to be black (AOR=1.8) or Hispanic (AOR=1.9) and had elevated risk of attempted suicide (AOR=1.3), fighting (AOR=3.5), and dating violence (AOR=2.0). Multiple sex partners (AOR=1.7), marijuana use (AOR=2.7) and binge drinking were associated with aggression; the binge drinking relationship was stronger among male teens compared to females (AOR=3.0 vs. 1.7). Students experiencing both victimization and aggression had elevated risk of all indicators examined.

Building on bullying studies, our findings highlight mental and behavioral health risks especially among male victims and aggressors. They call attention to substantial risks of experiencing both aggression and victimization. School officials, teachers, parents and clinicians should be alert to co-occurring violence experiences.