Participation Drops in Youth Violence Prevention Programming; What Does It Tell Us?

March 27, 2019 | BU School of Social Work

Violence prevention programming is critical in the United States, where almost one in four adolescents are involved in fighting and violent crime each year.

But according to a new study by researchers at BU School of Social Work, participation in preventative programs has recently dropped by nearly 30% following a nationwide decline in violence across all socioeconomic and ethnic groups.

The study’s principal investigator, BU School of Social Work doctoral candidate Millan AbiNader, warns against jumping to conclusions. “It’s important to understand if the decrease in violence is related to the existing programs’ efficacy, or is there some other reason, like a decrease in funding that is responsible for the drop in participation.”

The study showed that the youngest adolescents (ages 12-14), those from higher income families, and those with no past-year violent incidents accounted for the largest decline in participation.

According to AbiNader, “These findings help us ask more questions about who is getting access to violence prevention programming and if we’re getting it to the people who really need it.”

A steeper decline in participation among those reporting no involvement in violence suggests that communities may be moving away from all-inclusive youth programs and instead targeting youth who are at risk of violence. However, more research is needed to determine if these communities are effectively reducing youth violence.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine published the study, which was authored by AbiNader; BU School of Social Work assistant professor Christopher P. Salas-Wright; Michael G. Vaughn of Saint Louis University; The University of Texas at Austin’s Sehun Oh; and Dylan B. Jackson from The University of Texas at San Antonio.