Suchergebnisse

Using data from a cohort study of students at risk for high school dropout, we examined associations between violence exposure and past 30‐day alcohol and marijuana use. We used varying‐coefficient regression with person‐level fixed effects to estimate how those associations changed within‐person across ages approximately 14–23. Generally, violence perpetration was most strongly associated with substance use, within‐person. Substance use became increasingly associated with both observed violence and violence perpetration during early/middle adolescence; this increase continued longer into development (age 18+) for alcohol use. Across most of the age range studied here, violence victimization was minimally associated with within‐person changes in substance use. Results indicate age‐specific associations between violence exposure and alcohol and other drug use, which may be useful for informing prevention strategies.

Youth interpersonal firearm violence disproportionately affects Black youth, with residential racial segregation as a key determinant. Racially segregated neighborhoods, which are economically isolated (e.g., neighborhood disadvantage), are linked to increased exposure to violence. This exposure, in turn, is a determinant of youth firearm aggression (i.e., using a gun on someone else). Mechanisms from residential racial segregation to firearm aggression, however, have not been evaluated. Therefore, we tested neighborhood disadvantage and exposure to violence as mediators in the association between residential racial segregation and youth firearm aggression. Participants were 338 Black youth who had used drugs in the past 6 months and sought care in an urban emergency department. Using serial mediation analysis, residential racial segregation was indirectly associated with youth firearm aggression via neighborhood disadvantage and then exposure to violence. While researchers have documented the association between structural racism and firearm violence injury and incidents, our study assessed multiple socioecological mechanisms simultaneously. Identifying the downstream socioecological consequences of residential segregation can guide the development of firearm aggression prevention programs addressing the consequences of racism.

Firearm injuries are a leading cause of injury-related deaths in the U.S., but there is a dearth of federal funding for research on firearm injury prevention, compared to funding for research on other injuries and diseases. University research centers/institutes (C/Is) are in a position to help generate such research: they are multidisciplinary, have the capacity to conduct large-scale research projects, and commonly address complex health and social problems. In this article, we trace the history of research on firearm injury prevention, describe the different kinds of C/Is and C/I networks that have been developed to build knowledge in other areas of critical social concern, and argue for the development of a national coordinated network of firearm injury prevention C/Is.

Abstract

Aims
Alcohol-related blackouts can result in acute injuries and other negative outcomes. Among underage risky drinkers, we examined longitudinal trajectories of blackout frequency following an emergency department (ED) visit, and identified baseline characteristics associated with blackout trajectory membership.


Methods
Participants (ages 14–20; N = 836) attending an ED who screened positive for risky drinking and enrolled in a randomized-controlled trial of brief alcohol interventions were assessed at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-months. We used group-based trajectory modeling to determine characteristic trajectories of blackout frequency over 12-months in relation to baseline characteristics: demographics, substance use, delinquency, depression/anxiety symptoms, sexual assault, dating violence, and peer and sibling influences.


Results
We identified four groups: No/Low blackouts (n = 248; 29.7%), Declining blackouts (n = 92; 11.0%), Moderate blackouts (n = 337; 40.3%) and High blackouts (n = 159; 19.0%); group membership did not differ based on intervention receipt. In adjusted analyses, compared to the No/Low group all other groups had higher odds of having an alcohol-related baseline ED visit. Female sex, alcohol consumption, prescription drug misuse, sexual assault while incapacitated due to substances, and negative peer influences were positively associated with membership in the High group; College/Greek life involvement was also highest. Negative peer influences and being in high school (vs. College/Greek life) also distinguished the Moderate group.


Conclusion
Blackout frequency was largely stable over time and riskier trajectories were marked by risk factors such as negative peer influences and college/Greek life involvement. Findings may inform targeted interventions, particularly for women who were in higher risk trajectories.