Lloyd B. Potter

Youth Violence: Developmental Pathways and Prevention Challenges

Youth violence is an important public health problem. During the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s, the United States witnessed unprecedented levels of violence among the nations youths. Homicide remains one of the leading causes of death for young people aged 10 to 24 years. This paper reviews the major trends in homicide victimization and perpetration among youths during the past decade, the developmental pathways of delinquent and violent behavior and the context in which these behaviors occur, and some of the challenges associated with disrupting these pathways and preventing violence. Previous research reveals that multiple pathways lead toward violence and delinquency. Predicting which pathway a youth will follow, or if one will be followed at all, depends to some extent on a host of other biological, psychosocial, and environmental factors present as young people transition from early childhood to adolescence to early adulthood. Preventing violence requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account developmental needs, tasks, and supports.

The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program

In response to calls for greater efforts to reduce youth suicide, the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Act has provided funding for 68 state, territory, and tribal community grants, and 74 college campus grants for suicide prevention efforts. Suicide prevention activities supported by GLS grantees have included education, training programs (including gatekeeper training), screening activities, infrastructure for improved linkages to services, crisis hotlines, and community partnerships. Through participation in both local- and cross-site evaluations, GLS grantees are generating data regarding the local context, proximal outcomes, and implementation of programs, as well as opportunities for improvement of suicide prevention efforts.

Racial Differences in Hopelessness as a Risk Factor for a Nearly Lethal Suicide Attempt

Hopelessness is associated with suicide. Hopelessness has been associated with life experiences, social-environmental, and biological factors. Racial differences exist in these factors and in coping behaviors. Better understanding racial differences in hopelessness and suicide may result in more effective interventions to slow the increasing Black American suicide rate. Data from a case-control study of nearly lethal suicide attempters were analyzed. Interaction results from logistic regression suggest that the effect of hopelessness on a nearly lethal suicide attempt may differ for Black and White Americans. Hopelessness was strongly associated with a nearly lethal suicide attempt for Blacks and Whites, but the odds were greater for Blacks than Whites. Interventions may need to be adjusted to address the difference.

Patterns of condom use and sexual behavior among never-married women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Use of condoms is one of the main methods sexually active persons may choose to prevent infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Little is known about patterns of condom use among women in the United States. We provide a conceptualization of patterns of condom use and factors associated with these patterns. GOAL OF THIS STUDY To examine patterns of condom use and associated characteristics among sexually active, never-married women in the United States. STUDY DESIGN Analysis of data from the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth, which is a nationally representative sample of women in their childbearing years. RESULTS Only a minority of sexually active, never-married women report using condoms, and even fewer report using them consistently. Women with characteristics traditionally associated with increased risk of infection with STD and HIV appear to be less likely to report using condoms and to report using them consistently. Women who report use of condoms to prevent STDs are more likely to report consistent condom use; less likely to cease using condoms; and more likely to initiate consistent condom use. CONCLUSION Findings suggest the need for innovative programming targeted for specific sexually active populations to promote both initiation and maintenance of use of condoms.