Youth Violence: Psychosocial Risk Factors, Treatment, Prevention, and Recommendations

This article provides mental health professionals with a contemporary review of the youth violence literature by discussing relevant psychosocial risk factors, treatment approaches, prevention programs, and recommendations. PsycINFO, Medline, and manual searches of the literature were conducted to locate the most relevant articles. Preference was given to studies that used rigorous scientific methodology (e.g., adequate sample size, random assignment, control groups) to investigate the topic. It was concluded that violent behavior in youth is linked with multiple psychosocial factors.The most effective treatment and prevention programs appear to be those that simultaneously address the multiple factors related to youth violence. Finally, the authors make recommendations for mental health professionals, law enforcement and juvenile justice personnel, parents, and others who come in contact with violent youth.