Rumble: Prevalence and Correlates of Group Fighting among Adolescents in the United States

Behavioral Sciences

Matt DeLisi¹  Michael G. Vaughn³  Christopher P. Salas-Wright² 

[1] Department of Sociology, Iowa State University, 203A East Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA;School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78712, USA; E-Mail:;School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Tegeler Hall 316, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: fighting;    assault;    group violence;    criminal careers;    externalizing disorders;   

DOI  :  10.3390/bs5020214

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Objective. Group fighting is portrayed as a piece of Americana among delinquent youth, but the behavior produces significant multifaceted negative consequences. The current study examines the heterogeneity and correlates of group fighting using national-level data. Method. Employing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health between 2002 and 2013 (n = 216,852), we examine links between group fighting and temperamental, parental, and academic factors as well as other externalizing behaviors (i.e., violence, crime, substance use). Results. The prevalence of group fighting in the United States is 14.8% with 11.33% reporting 1–2 group fights and 3.46% reporting 3+ group fights. A clear severity gradient in school functioning and academic performance, sensation seeking, parental disengagement, violence and delinquency, and substance use disorders is seen in the normative, episodic, and repeat offender groups. Conclusions. Youths who participate in 3+ group fights display the exceptionality and severity of other serious/chronic/habitual antisocial youth which suggests that group fighting should be considered a significant indicator of developing criminality.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.