A 15-year study tracking former child soldiers in Sierra Leone reveals that earning acceptance from families and communities is crucial for their mental health and social integration. The research highlights the importance of addressing stigma and improving social supports to help these individuals recover from childhood trauma.
The ancient community of Çatalhöyük, settled around 9,000 years ago, faced problems similar to those of modern cities. The residents suffered from high infection rates due to poor hygiene and crowding, as well as environmental degradation and climate change.
A new national study by UBC researchers found that strong family and school connections are key to preventing substance use among transgender youth. The study analyzed data from 323 trans youth ages 14-18 and found that those with supportive families were 61% less likely to smoke tobacco and 88% less likely to report smoking cannabis.
A recent study of 563 sexual assault cases in Massachusetts found striking similarities in the types of injuries and violence experienced by adult and adolescent victims. Teenage victims were more likely to experience violence, force, and choking, with significant increases in use of force as age increased.
A new study published in Studies in Asian Social Science found that group practice of Transcendental Meditation reduced sociopolitical violence in Cambodia by 96.2% between 1993 and 2008. The likelihood of this decline occurring randomly was one in 10 million, suggesting a coherence-creating effect on society.
Research presented at ATS 2019 suggests that violence exposure and depression may contribute to the development of asthma in high school students. Additionally, promoting healthy lifestyle habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise may help reduce the risk of asthma in adolescents.
A pilot program focusing on positive expressions of masculinity improved middle school boys' attitudes toward relationship violence, reducing beliefs that coercion and violence are acceptable. The 'Reducing Sexism and Violence Program - Middle School Program' also taught empathy, healthy relationships and bystander intervention skills.
The proceedings from the inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention identify a consensus-based approach to reduce injury, disability, and death from firearm violence. The article outlines a public health framework for addressing the crisis, including research, education, and targeted injury prevention initiatives.
A recent survey of 5000 adults in England found that nearly one in five people experienced harm due to others' drinking, including physical violence and emotional neglect. The study also revealed that younger age, certain ethnicities, and hazardous drinking habits were associated with a higher risk of experiencing harm.
A genomic study of a mass grave in Neolithic Poland reveals an extended family structure, with mothers and children together, but older males absent. The analysis suggests that the massacre may have been linked to the expansion of Corded Ware groups, supporting the notion that violence was a common response to population pressure.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry has discovered a relationship between the anti-stress brain chemical nociceptin and PTSD symptom severity. Women with less severe PTSD symptoms had fewer receptors for the chemical in regions of the brain involved in the threat alarm system, suggesting a potential marker for resilience.
Researchers found that exposure to violence impairs the ability to place trust in individuals who are likely to be helpful, leading to increased disciplinary infractions. The study suggests that this cognitive disruption can have long-lasting effects on social functioning and stability.
Researchers aim to identify effective strategies for reducing violence in internationalized civil wars, which have the most fatalities and are difficult to resolve. The project will analyze conflict management approaches, create a barometer to measure changes in conflict levels, and provide policy recommendations.
The UK could benefit from Colombia's systemic approach to reducing violence, which resulted in a 53% decrease in homicides between 1995 and 2018. Interventions included restricting alcohol sales, community mobilization, and increased access to education and employment opportunities.
Researchers found that teens have an overly simplistic understanding of consent, ignoring non-verbal cues, and believe silence indicates consent. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce sexual violence and improve resilience among teens.
A new study reveals that violence against long-term care staff in Canada is widespread and largely unreported due to fear of reprisals. The research identifies underlying causes such as understaffing, poor organization, and inadequate emotional care as contributing factors.
Researchers estimate that alcohol use during pregnancy and drunken driving are linked to substantial harm beyond the drinker, including fetal alcohol syndrome and road traffic fatalities. Effective prevention strategies targeting vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and road users, are necessary.
Researchers from the University of Michigan have adapted a sexual violence prevention program to address specific issues in Ghana, including power dynamics and peer assaults. The program has shown promising preliminary results, with students rethinking gender relations and challenging rape myths.
A new report by Duke University researchers highlights the dire impacts of Israel's targeting of agricultural, water, and energy infrastructures in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on human welfare and livelihoods. The study shows that these attacks often result in significant degradation of civilian infrastructure and economy.
Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood of violence through three indirect effects: increased irritability, economic instability, and eco-migration leading to intergroup conflicts. These factors can create a perfect storm for political violence, civil wars, or wars between nations.
A Johns Hopkins University study models routes to school for Baltimore students and finds those who commute through areas with double the average crime are 6% more likely to miss school. Chronic absenteeism has been linked to lower achievement, student disengagement and increased risk of dropping out.
A qualitative analysis of Física o Química reveals that Spanish teens internalized stereotypes and myths of romantic love that justify male violence against women. The study found that audiences reflected in gender stereotypes and romantic inequalities.
A four-year, $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support the development of a decision-making tool to help care providers tailor treatments for intimate partner violence (IPV). The project aims to reduce inequalities in current treatment methods and improve outcomes for victims and perpetrators.
A unique program called Reclaiming our Spirits, which integrated elder-led circles and cultural elements, showed significant improvement in symptoms of trauma and depression among Indigenous women. Participants reported better quality of life, greater self-empowerment, and felt more supported by their family and community.
A study analyzes how hip-hop artists like Jay-Z and Public Enemy use 'cop voice' in their songs to interrogate police violence in black communities. Researchers identify the phenomenon of 'cop voice' as a racialized way of speaking used by police to provoke fear and extreme compliance from people of color.
Large human crowds behave like fluid-like systems, where movement can be mathematically predicted using hydrodynamic theory. The study's findings suggest this approach could provide quantitative guidance in crowd management and lay the foundation for an empirically grounded theory of group behavior.
Social scientists from Michigan State University identified consistent risk factors for partner rape among young women in their first relationships. Lower socioeconomic status, being of a younger age, and higher levels of physical abuse and coercive control predicted sexual violence. The researchers found that experiences with partner ...
Researchers found that street-based FSWs with more frequent abusive police interactions had a higher risk of client violence, emphasizing the need for interventions addressing relationships between FSW and police. The study also highlights the importance of decriminalizing sex work to alleviate pressure on these women.
A new study identifies medical conditions that increase the risk of self-directed violence among teens and young adults visiting emergency departments. These conditions include epilepsy, seizures, multiple pain visits, syncope, vomiting, and dental complaints, highlighting the importance of EDs in suicide prevention.
Despite a decline in overall crime rates, Chicago's safest neighborhoods experienced a greater decrease in crime, leading to an increase in relative inequality. The city's violent crime rate remains higher than other major cities, highlighting the need for targeted violence-prevention policies.
A Northwestern University study found that youth living in high-crime neighborhoods experience worse cardiometabolic health due to neighborhood violence. However, those with higher brain connectivity in the frontoparietal central executive network display better resilience.
Researchers urge recognition of parental alienation as a form of family violence, citing its negative consequences for children's psychological health and well-being. The phenomenon involves behaviors such as targeting the other parent, creating fear, and sabotaging their relationship with the child.
A survey study of 1,000 US adults found that exposure to police violence was common, particularly among racial/ethnic and sexual minorities. The frequency of exposure was associated with increased likelihood of mental health issues, including psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, and psychotic experiences.
A study found that midlife and older women experiencing menopause are at risk for intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research highlights the association between traumatic experiences and common symptoms related to menopause, including difficulty sleeping and vaginal symptoms.
People who experience workplace bullying or violence are at higher risk of heart and brain blood vessel problems, including heart attacks and stroke. The largest prospective study found a strong association between the two, with those exposed to frequent bullying or violence having a 59% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
A recent study led by University of Illinois social work professor Rachel Garthe found that parents' conflict-handling views play a significant role in shaping their children's behavior. The study surveyed over 1,000 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students about their parents' views on handling conflicts. Results show that students ...
Researchers found that a large percentage of violent injuries treated in emergency departments are from incidents unknown to law enforcement. Combining hospital and police data can provide a more complete picture of violence, highlighting the need for improved reporting and tracking.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing article highlights how nurses understand factors leading to firearm violence and investigate ways to prevent it. The research identifies priority areas for nursing science to address this public health problem.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that one in five child homicides may be related to intimate partner violence. The research reveals significant discrepancies between reported data and actual cases, highlighting the need for improved reporting and prevention strategies to save children's lives.
Research finds distinct temporal and geographical patterns in knife crime among young people, with children most at risk of stab injuries on the way home from school. The study reveals that stabbings peak between 1600-1800 hours, accounting for over one-fifth of all injuries, and nearly half of injuries occur within 1-5 km of home.
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that Twitter users proposed many effective strategies to prevent sexual violence, but also perpetuated misinformation and myths. The researchers analyzed over 1,400 tweets using the #HowIWillChange hashtag and identified gaps in prevention strategies.
A new study by the University of Washington links childhood violence to accelerated biological aging in children as young as 8 years old. The researchers found that exposure to violence in childhood can affect both epigenetic and cellular aging, as well as pubertal development.
A new study at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference found that protagonists in superhero films engage in more violent acts than their villainous counterparts. The research analyzed 10 films and classified characters as either hero or villain, with protagonists averaging 23 violent acts per hour compared to 18 for villains.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that exposure to early life violence accelerates biological aging, including pubertal development, while deprivation-related adversity leads to delayed pubertal development. Children who experienced violence showed signs of accelerated epigenetic aging and increased symptoms of depression.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that people's search for meaning in life is strongly associated with a need for excitement and support for political violence. The researchers suggest that providing thrilling but non-violent alternatives may help curb the impulse to harm.
A yearlong program for adolescent refugee girls in Sub-Saharan Africa successfully promoted healthy transitions to adulthood, reducing reports of sexual and physical violence. The COMPASS program taught life skills geared to build girls' knowledge of violence risk factors and empower them to advocate for their rights and physical safety.
A cross-national analysis of over 400,000 adolescents in 88 countries reveals that complete bans on corporal punishment are associated with reduced physical fighting among young people. The study found a 42% decrease in female youth violence and a 31% reduction in male youth violence compared to countries without such bans.
A new Australian study found that young men who conform to traditional definitions of manhood, dubbed 'the man box,' are more likely to experience poor mental health, engage in binge drinking and traffic accidents, and be involved in physical bullying and violence. The study suggests that promoting positive alternatives to the Man Box ...
International study finds full bans on corporal punishment at home and school reduce physical fighting among young people by 42-69%. Partial bans show little impact, while no bans are associated with higher rates of youth violence.
A systematic review of quantitative studies on the relationship between education and political violence found that increasing education levels in the population reduces most forms of armed conflict. The study also highlights the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in access to education between religious and ethnic groups, ...
A new evaluation of Panama's Playa Venado site reveals no signs of trauma at or near time of death, contradicting earlier interpretations of violent death. The burial site likely tells a more culturally nuanced story, with adults buried next to urns containing children and evidence of adult kinship practices.
A longitudinal study by researchers found that witnessing school violence in Grade 8 increases the risk of psycho-social and academic impairment in Grade 10. The study also revealed that bystander effects were similar to being victimized, with minor forms of violence predicting increases in social anxiety and depressive symptoms.
The University of New Hampshire is conducting the largest study on intimate partner violence among sexual minority college students. The survey aims to evaluate a new theoretical model that assesses institutional and individual stigma's role in increasing risk for intimate partner violence experiences.
A new study led by Lancaster University finds that staff perceptions of lad culture are influenced by limited understandings of the term, reflecting media portrayals. Staff often overlook or underestimate the prevalence of lad culture, prioritizing serious incidents over everyday instances of harassment and violence.
Researchers surveyed 1400 Kenyans affected by drought, finding that those who relocated are more likely to experience violence. However, migrants themselves do not express increased support for violence, suggesting a complex relationship between migration and conflict.
Researchers found that conditional release programs often work for individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity, with 66% maintaining their release and only 1 out of 81 having a new non-violent offense. The HCR-20 tool, commonly used to assess violence risk, was also found to be less effective in predicting recidivism.
A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that women who experienced sexual violence have more intense and difficult-to-forget memories than those who did not. The research also highlights the challenges of recovery from trauma and the importance of prevention and justice for survivors.
Fewer teens are experiencing physical abuse from their dating partners, with five percent of teens reporting dating violence in 2013. The researchers found 5.8 percent of boys and 4.2 percent of girls reported experiencing dating violence in the past year.
Research shows that armed groups in Colombia influenced local officials to implement policy preferences, weakening government institutions. The analysis found a strong connection between violence by armed groups and differences in property rights and taxes.
A study by Jonathan Mummolo found that militarized policing is ineffective in decreasing crime and protecting police officers, and may actually weaken the public's image of law enforcement. The study also reveals that SWAT teams are more often deployed in communities of color.