Severe Youth Violence: Assessing and preventing a disturbing problem

Violent occurrences at high schools and among adolescents is disconcertingly prevalent, and the topic is a particular focus for U of T Mississauga psychology professor Tina Malti, who has edited a new special section of the journal Child Development, entitled “Severe Youth Violence: Developmental Perspectives.”

“Severe violence in youth is one of the most protracted social problems that costs our society much anguish, and destroys enormous social capital,” says Malti. “This issue was motivated by the belief that there now is a research base that is highly applicable to the many factors that produce youth violence. Not only can we increase successes in prevention and intervention, but also predicting—at an early age—who will be most at risk. We can also create the conditions for the opposite developmental pathways, those of empathy, perspective, purpose, and positive school and work outcomes.” 

The concerns associated with severe youth violence (SYV), which includes offenses such as aggravated assault, rape, murder and robbery committed by adolescents, are extensive. Moreover, a 2014 World Health Organization report listed homicide as the fourth leading cause worldwide of death among 15-29 year olds.

The collection of articles featured in the issue investigates a range of topics, including the developmental course of decision-making and emotional responses among youth who commit violent offenses, and the role of gender in violence. It also focuses on how to better screen and assess SYV risk and inform new ways to prevent it, along with examining possible paths of effective intervention.

SYV costs billions of dollars annually for criminal justice system expenses, as well as the significant negative outcomes for victims and agents of violent behavior, which can include physical and mental health consequences, reduced life expectancy, and—specific to the offenders—retaliatory cycles of violence.