Effects of neighborhood social and structural characteristics on intra-ethnic disparities in youth violence among latinos

Previous studies that have examined risk of youth violence among Latinos are hampered by a systemic lack of precision, both in grouping all Latinos together without regard to different ethnic subgroups, and in focusing on standardized neighborhood disadvantage measures that do not differentiate between economic and racial indicators, nor include indicators of other important neighborhood structural and social factors. Based on social disorganization and segmented assimilation theories, this study utilized the In-Home and Contextual data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine the impact of exposure to key indicators of economic, racial/ethnic, social, and structural neighborhood dimensions previously linked to the risk of violent behaviors. It focused on understanding intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic patterns of risk and protection, with particular emphasis on Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Latino adolescents in the United States. Results point to differences in risk for violent behavior across subgroups, as well as unique patterns of influence by subgroup. Intervention and policy implications will be discussed.