Relationship between life satisfaction and violent behaviors among adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To explore relationships between life satisfaction and violent behaviors among 5,032 adolescents.

Methods: Adjusted polychotomous logistic regression analyses and multivariate models were used via SUDAAN with the 1997 CDC YRBS.

Results: Carrying a weapon; carrying a gun; carrying a weapon at school; physical fighting; physical fighting at school; physical fighting that required physician treatment; drinking and driving; riding with a drinking driver; having property stolen/damaged at school; feeling unsafe while at, going to or returning from school; and being injured/ threatened with a weapon were associated (p=.05) with reduced life satisfaction.

Conclusion: Measures of life satisfaction as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent violence/aggression in field-work, research, and program-evaluation efforts should be considered.