Generational Differences in Serious Physical Violence Among Hispanic Adolescents

• Author: Jennifer M. Reingle,Mildred M. Maldonado-Molina,Wesley G. Jennings
• Date: 01 July 2011
• Published date: 01 July 2011
• DOI: 10.1177/2153368711409061

Generational Differences

in Serious Physical

Violence Among Hispanic

Adolescents: Results From

a Nationally Representative,

Longitudinal Study

Jennifer M. Reingle

1

, Wesley G. Jennings

2

,

and Mildred M. Maldonado-Molina

1

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is (a) to evaluate the predictors of serious

physical violence among Hispanics using a longitudinal, nationally representative

sample of adolescents, and (b) to evaluate the effects of multiple levels of influence

(generational differences, individual-level characteristics, and contextual variables) on

serious violence during adolescence. Method: Data were derived from 4,786

Hispanic adolescents surveyed for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent

Health (Add Health). Survey logistic regression procedures were used to examine the

independent effect of generation, including multilevel risk and protective factors, on

serious physical violence. Results: 3rd generation U.S.-born adolescents were 75%

more likely to be violent 1 year later (OR ¼1.75; p< .05), independent of various risk

and protective factors contextual effects (parental involvement, parental alcohol use,

neighborhood safety), demographics (age, gender), individual-level risk and protective

factors (alcohol use, marijuana use), and baseline violence. Conclusions: Genera-

tional differences exist in serious physical violence, and 3rd generation and beyond

adolescents are at greater risk of violent behavior. Violence prevention strategies

should focus on the retention of family bonds and cultural values of the host country

1

Department of Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Institute for Child Health Policy, College of

Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

2

Department of Criminology, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, University of South Florida,

Tampa, FL, USA

Corresponding Author:

Jennifer Reingle, Department of Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Institute for Child Health Policy,

College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1329 SW 16th St., Gainesville, FL 32610, USA

Email: jreingle1@ufl.edu

Race and Justice

1(3) 277-291

ªThe Author(s) 2011

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DOI: 10.1177/2153368711409061

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