Physical and emotional health problems experienced by youth engaged in physical fighting and weapon carrying

TY - JOUR

T1 - Physical and emotional health problems experienced by youth engaged in physical fighting and weapon carrying

AU - Walsh, Sophie D

AU - Molcho, Michal

AU - Craig, Wendy

AU - Harel-Fisch, Yossi

AU - Huynh, Quynh

AU - Kukaswadia, Atif

AU - Aasvee, Katrin

AU - Várnai, Dora

AU - Ottova-Jordan, Veronika

AU - Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike

AU - Pickett, William

PY - 2013/1/1

Y1 - 2013/1/1

N2 - Then aims of the current study were 1) to provide cross-national estimates of the prevalence of physical fighting and weapon carrying among adolescents aged 11-15 years; (2) To examine the possible effects of physical fighting and weapon carrying on the occurrence of physical (medically treated injuries) and emotional health outcomes (multiple health complaints) among adolescents within the theoretical framework of Problem Behaviour Theory. 20,125 adolescents aged 11-15 in five countries (Belgium, Israel, USA, Canada, FYR Macedonia) were surveyed via the 2006 Health Behaviour in School Aged Children survey. Prevalence was calculated for physical fighting and weapon carrying along with physical and emotional measures that potentially result from violence. Regression analyses were used to quantify associations between violence/weapon carrying and the potential health consequences within each country. Large variations in fighting and weapon carrying were observed across countries. Boys reported more frequent episodes of fighting/weapon carrying and medically attended injuries in every country, while girls reported more emotional symptoms. Although there were some notable variations in findings between different participating countries, increased weapon carrying and physical fighting were both independently and consistently associated with more frequent reports of the potential health outcomes. Adolescents engaging in fighting and weapon carrying are also at risk for physical and emotional health outcomes. Involvement in fighting and weapon carrying can be seen as part of a constellation of risk behaviours with obvious health implications. Our findings also highlight the importance of the cultural context when examining the nature of violent behaviour for adolescents.

AB - Then aims of the current study were 1) to provide cross-national estimates of the prevalence of physical fighting and weapon carrying among adolescents aged 11-15 years; (2) To examine the possible effects of physical fighting and weapon carrying on the occurrence of physical (medically treated injuries) and emotional health outcomes (multiple health complaints) among adolescents within the theoretical framework of Problem Behaviour Theory. 20,125 adolescents aged 11-15 in five countries (Belgium, Israel, USA, Canada, FYR Macedonia) were surveyed via the 2006 Health Behaviour in School Aged Children survey. Prevalence was calculated for physical fighting and weapon carrying along with physical and emotional measures that potentially result from violence. Regression analyses were used to quantify associations between violence/weapon carrying and the potential health consequences within each country. Large variations in fighting and weapon carrying were observed across countries. Boys reported more frequent episodes of fighting/weapon carrying and medically attended injuries in every country, while girls reported more emotional symptoms. Although there were some notable variations in findings between different participating countries, increased weapon carrying and physical fighting were both independently and consistently associated with more frequent reports of the potential health outcomes. Adolescents engaging in fighting and weapon carrying are also at risk for physical and emotional health outcomes. Involvement in fighting and weapon carrying can be seen as part of a constellation of risk behaviours with obvious health implications. Our findings also highlight the importance of the cultural context when examining the nature of violent behaviour for adolescents.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Demography

KW - Emotions

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Male

KW - Mental Health

KW - Prevalence

KW - Violence

KW - Weapons

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0056403

DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0056403

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23437126

VL - 8

SP - e56403

JO - PLOS ONE

JF - PLOS ONE

SN - 1932-6203

IS - 2

ER -