Abstract
The major focus of this study was to test the theory driven conceptual model derived from the literature regarding risk, protective
and desistance factors in relation to violent behavior of female adolescents. This study utilized The National Longitudinal
Adolescent Health Study (Add Health) dataset and included 2,031 female participants. The conceptual model developed was based
on life course perspective as it relates to violent behavior in adolescents. The tested SEM model suggested: (1) that each
of the latent variables of risk (β = .06, t = .02, p < .001) and protective factors (β = −.07, t = .01, p < .001) were significantly directly associated with violent behavior, (2) the latent variable, desistance factors (β = .01,
t = .06, p > .05), was not significantly directly associated with violent behavior, (3) there were mediating effects between risk factors,
protective factors and violent behavior (β = −.12, t = .04, p < .05) and (4) there were no mediating effects between risk factors, desistance factors and violent behavior (β = −1.28,
t = 2.99, p > .05).
and desistance factors in relation to violent behavior of female adolescents. This study utilized The National Longitudinal
Adolescent Health Study (Add Health) dataset and included 2,031 female participants. The conceptual model developed was based
on life course perspective as it relates to violent behavior in adolescents. The tested SEM model suggested: (1) that each
of the latent variables of risk (β = .06, t = .02, p < .001) and protective factors (β = −.07, t = .01, p < .001) were significantly directly associated with violent behavior, (2) the latent variable, desistance factors (β = .01,
t = .06, p > .05), was not significantly directly associated with violent behavior, (3) there were mediating effects between risk factors,
protective factors and violent behavior (β = −.12, t = .04, p < .05) and (4) there were no mediating effects between risk factors, desistance factors and violent behavior (β = −1.28,
t = 2.99, p > .05).
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s10560-012-0255-3
- Authors
- Joy D. Patton, Counseling and Human Services Department, University of North Texas Dallas, 7400 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX 75241, USA
- Journal Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2797
- Print ISSN 0738-0151