Prevention of Youth Violence: A Public Health Approach

Aradhana Bela Sood; Steven J Berkowitz

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.11.004

Prevention of Youth Violence: A Public Health Approach

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2016 Apr;25(2):243-56. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2015.11.004. Epub 2016 Jan 11.

Authors

Aradhana Bela Sood¹, Steven J Berkowitz²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 515 North 10th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 515 N 10th Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Electronic address: Bela.sood@vcuhealth.org.
² Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Hall Mercer Building, 245 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

PMID: 26980127
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2015.11.004

Abstract

The causes of youth violence are multifactorial and include biological, individual, familial, social, and economic factors. The influence of parents, family members, and important adults can shape the beliefs of the child toward violence in a significant manner. However, the influence of school and the neighborhood also have an important role in attitudes and behaviors of children toward violence. The complexity of factors related to violence requires a comprehensive public health approach. This article focuses on evidence-based models of intervention to reduce violence while emphasizing collective impact as a guiding principle.

Keywords: Public health and violence; Violence prevention; Youth violence.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Family Therapy / methods*
Humans
Primary Prevention / methods*
Public Health / methods*
School Health Services*
Secondary Prevention / methods*
Violence / prevention & control*
Violence / psychology*