Recent Trends in Violence-Related Behaviors Among High School Students in the United States

Abstract

Fatal violence reflects only the most visible tip of the iceberg when estimating the consequences of violence.¹ Aggressive behaviors such as fighting and weapon carrying are extremely common in the daily lives of many adolescents. These behaviors may not always lead to physical injuries, but they are strongly associated with risk for injury, exposure to intimidation and threats, and perceptions of fear and vulnerability.^2,3 In addition, although less than 1% of homicides and suicides among school-aged youths occur on school grounds or while traveling to or from school or school-sponsored events,⁴ recent multiple-victim, school-associated violent deaths have focused national attention on what can be done to prevent violence in schools.