A review of protective factors for interpersonal youth violence among Asian and Pacific Islander youths

Background: Interpersonal youth violence (IYV) is a growing public health concern in the United States (US). Although numerous risk factors have been identified, research on protective factors has been limited. In addition, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) youths have not been traditionally included in IYV research. Objective/Purpose: Because the majority the State of Hawai`i population is comprised of Asian and Pacific Islanders, the purpose of this study is to review the literature on protective factors that may promote resiliency in API youths for IYV. Methods: Through a search on electronic databases, peer-reviewed studies related to IYV and API youth were identified. Database keywords including Hawaii, Hawaiian, Asian, Pacific Islander, youth, adolescence, adolescent, teen, teenage, violence, violent behaviors, aggression, and aggressive behaviors were used to identify relevant articles. Results: A total of 192 articles met the search criteria, with eight studies meeting the final selection criteria. The protective factors that emerged from the eight selected studies included high levels of self-esteem, school achievement, ethnic pride, ethnic identity, negative attitudes toward violence, parental engagement, family support, social support, school bonding, and neighborhood organization. Discussion/Conclusions: Although researchers have begun to recognize the importance of protective factors, risk-based approaches still dominate IYV research and programs, with most focusing on individual-level risk factors. To promote resilience and prevent interpersonal youth violence, researchers should engage with communities as active participants to better inform programs using strength-based approaches, especially in multicultural settings.