Youth Conflict Research Articles

A Paradox of School Social Organization: Positive School Climate, Friendship Network Density, and Adolescent Violence

Schools are often encouraged to foster a positive climate to reduce adolescent violence, but evidence on the effectiveness of this approach varies significantly. This study investigates the roots of this variation by testing alternative hypotheses about how positive school-level climate and school-level student friendship network density interact to shape adolescent violence perpetration. Research on informal social control and network closure suggests that the violence-reducing association of positive school climate will be enhanced among schools where students are more densely tied through their friendships. Research on youth conflict and subversion of control suggests the opposite. These hypotheses are tested with data from Waves I-II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 11,771; 49% Female; Age mean = 15.04, SD = 1.60). Consistent with the conflict/subversion hypothesis, analyses indicate that the inverse association between positive school climate and adolescent violence is only evident among schools with a very low density of friendship ties. Strikingly, however, there is evidence that a more positive school climate is associated with increases in violence among youth attending schools with a high density of friendship ties. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce violence by fostering cohesion among youth in their schools and other social contexts can be undermined by youth network processes.

COVID-19 responses and coping in young Malaysians from low-income families.

This study aimed to shed light on how young people from low-income families were responding to COVID-19. This cross-sectional study recruited young people aged between 18 and 24 years from the low-income-group communities. A convenience sampling approach was used. Google Surveys were used to gather data from the survey. The questionnaire consisted of an assessment of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, parent-youth conflict (Parental Environment Questionnaire, PEQ), resilient coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale, BRCS), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-short form, DASS-21). A total of 561 complete responses were received. The results showed a low level of parent-child conflict in the overall study population, with a median PEQ of 48.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 36-48]. Higher parent-child conflicts were found in females than in males (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.19-2.57) and in youth from households with an income below MYR 2000 than those earning MYR 3,001-5,000 (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 2.40-8.03). A low prevalence of depression (12.5%), anxiety (15.2%), and stress (6.4%) was found. Parent-child conflict remains the strongest significant predictor for higher levels of depression (OR = 10.90, 95% CI 4.31-27.57), anxiety (OR = 11.92, 95% CI 5.05-28.14), and stress (OR = 4.79, 95% CI 1.41-16.33) symptoms. Poor resilient coping was the second strongest predictor for depression and anxiety symptoms. Regarding lifestyle factors, a lower level of physical exercise was associated with higher symptoms of depression. By demographics, females reported more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than males. Young people from low-income households reported greater severity in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than those from high-income households. Young people who are employed also reported greater severity of anxiety symptoms than those who are unemployed. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unpredictable impact on the lives of vulnerable youth in low-income families that warrants attention in future advocacy efforts.

Latent classifications of parental involvement in diabetes management for youth with type 1 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

Understanding how parent-child relationships influence diabetes management in youth with type 1 diabetes is critical for minimizing the risk of short- and long-term complications. We examined how classes of diabetes-specific parenting behaviors are associated with disease management and well-being for youth with type 1 diabetes. The Family Management of Diabetes clinical trial tested the efficacy of a 2-year behavioral intervention for families of youth with type 1 diabetes. Three hundred and ninety youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their primary caregiver were recruited from four pediatric endocrinology centers in the US Classifications of parental involvement utilized baseline parent and youth reports of task involvement, collaborative involvement, and parent-youth conflict. Class differences in baseline glycemic control (HbA1c), regimen adherence, general and diabetes quality of life, and depressive symptoms, and 2-year change in HbA1c were examined. Latent profile analysis identified three classes: (1) high in task and collaborative involvement, low in conflict (Harmonious), (2) low in task involvement, collaborative involvement, and conflict (Indifferent), (3) high in task involvement and conflict, low in collaborative involvement (Inharmonious). The Harmonious group demonstrated the best adherence, glycemic control, and psychosocial well-being. The Inharmonious and Indifferent groups had similar diabetes management, but youth from Inharmonious families showed poorer psychosocial well-being. The intervention effect on glycemic control did not differ across the classes. The interplay of parental involvement and conflict resulted in distinct parenting classes that differed in disease management and well-being. However, the classes benefitted similarly from the behavioral intervention.

Exposing “Pluralistic Ignorance” to Reduce Youth Violence in Political Spaces

The study was inspired by the involvement of youths in political violence in Zimbabwe. It attempted to expose pluralistic ignorance concept as a way of reducing violence in political spheres. The concept of Pluralistic Ignorance argues that there are individuals who wrongly see the attitudes and deeds of peers as unlike their own when in fact they are not. It creates misunderstandings, which ensue in relation to problem behaviours which are commonly overrated. The study followed an intensive desk review conducted along a qualitative research paradigm. The concept of anti-violence as defined by the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding was applied to underpin the analysis. The study noted that the exposure of pluralistic ignorance allowed the affected youths to be able to discern the good from the bad and make sound decisions for their participation in politics. This, if appropriately applied helps reduce youth conflicts in politics in Africa.

Indigenous Youth Conflict Intervention: The Transformation of Butterflies

The purpose of this article is to discuss the impacts of structural violence and its effects on Indigenous Peoples using Aboriginal People – The Indigenous Peoples of Canada, and the Canadian education system as the context for discussion. Due to the root causes of conflict and the nature of violence in Aboriginal contexts being structural, working towards positive peace based on a concept of human security is the best approach to managing Aboriginal youth violence. This approach is conducive to building a culture of peace which is consistent with Indigenous traditions. Alternative methods of formal education should be considered in Aboriginal / Indigenous contexts. These methods should be grounded in the traditions of local Indigenous groups providing a safe space for rediscovery and identity negotiation between tradition and contemporary society. The ability for Indigenous peoples to further their formal education has a profound impact on long term peace building activities. The link between education, poverty, and violence must be of primary consideration when designing peace building activities where Indigenous Peoples are involved.

Curbing Youth Restiveness and Conflicts Through Effectual Structural Policies for Rural Employment Generation in Nigeria

The apparent neglect of Nigeria’s rural sector has provoked daunting challenges including youth restiveness, ethno-religious conflicts, unemployment and pervasive poverty. It is logical to finger rural unemployment as the antecessor of those other consequences. While it has been argued that the rate of unemployment is higher in urban than rural Nigeria, the nature and magnitude of rural unemployment (mostly underemployment) is becoming worrisome. For instance, youth unemployment in the country averaged 23.63 percent from 2014 until 2018 reaching an all-time high of 38 percent in Q2 of 2018 and a record low of 11.70 percent in Q4 of 2014. Furthermore, the Labour Statistics Report of Nigeria in Q4 of 2017 showed that there are about 7.9 million Nigerian youths aged 15 – 34 that are unemployed, mostly in the rural areas. Thus paper makes an introspection into what went wrong and explores vistas through effectual structural policies on rural infrastructures, agricultural transformation, skills acquisition, robust and sustainable credit and so on. These policies are aimed at realizing the multi-pronged goals of curbing youth restiveness, checking rural – urban migration, generating income and employment and transforming the agricultural sector for meaningful contribution to the country’s GDP. The need is imperative and there is no better time for these policies than now. Keywords: Youth restiveness policies rural employment generation DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-16-20 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Parent\u2013youth conflict as a predictor of depression in adulthood: a 15-year follow-up of a community-based cohort

Experiencing conflictual relations with one’s parents while growing up has been linked to onset, recurrence, and worse treatment outcome of adolescent depression. While this suggests that significant problems in the parent–youth relationship make depressive disorders more relentless, it is not clear whether this effect lasts into adulthood. Our aim was to examine if major and minor conflict with parents while growing up predicts depression in adulthood in youth with and without a history of depression. We utilized data from the Uppsala Longitudinal Adolescent Depression Study. This community-based cohort was assessed with structured diagnostic interviews both at age 16–17 and at follow-up 15 years later. The analyses included 382 individuals (227 with a history of child or adolescent depression; 155 peers without such a history). Binary logistic regression was used, adjusting for sex, disruptive behavior disorders, and additional family-related adversities. Among individuals with adolescent depression, major conflict with parents was strongly associated with adult depression (adjusted OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.07–4.87). While major conflict with parents was rare among non-depressed controls, a non-significant association of similar magnitude was still observed. Minor conflict, on the other hand, was not significantly associated with adult depression. Overall, conflict with parents did not predict adult anxiety disorders, substance use, suicidal behavior, somatoform disorders, or psychotic disorders. In conclusion, major parent–youth conflict during upbringing seems to be linked with an increased risk of depression in adulthood. These findings underscore the need to consider contextual/familial factors in the prevention and clinical management of early-life depression.

Modal Sosial Bentukan Dalam Penyelesaian Konflik di Bangka Belitung

Three potential conflicts that need to be anticipated in the reality of the life of the Bangka Belitung community in the future. The results of qualitative research through conflict mapping in seven districts / cities showed the potential for economic conflict in fighting for tin resources, agrarian conflicts with development dimensions related to land expansion for large-scale oil palm plantations, and inter-village and interethnic youth conflicts became the dominant issue. The mechanism of the savety valve as a damper of potential recurring conflicts must be institutionalized through functional and sustainable formalized social capital.

'Youth's Conflict Resolution Strategies in their Dating Relationships'.

Youth can experience conflicts with their dating partner and then need strategies to solve such conflicts. Research is scarce regarding positive conflict resolution strategies in a dating context. Considering research on various interpersonal relationships (e.g. friendships, dating, marriage), the present study examined how dimensions of empathy, verbal skills and impulsivity can contribute to the use of positive conflict resolution strategies in dating relationships. The sample is made up of 813 youth attending secondary schools or a regional college (71.7% female, mean age = 18.9, age range 14.2-24.9). They completed self-administered questionnaires investigating positive conflict resolution strategies, as well as dimensions of empathy (i.e., fantasy, perspective-taking, empathic concern, and personal distress), verbal skills (similarities and figurative language) and impulsivity (positive urgency, negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking). The results reveal sex differences and developmental improvements on several factors. The findings showed that specific dimensions of empathy and verbal skills foster the use of positive conflict resolution strategies whereas specific dimensions of impulsivity and one dimension of empathy hamper it. Both sexes shared a common correlate: the propensity toward perspective-taking fostered the use of positive conflict resolution strategies. In addition to highlighting correlates of positive conflict resolution strategies in dating relationships, this study can contribute to programs dedicated to the promotion of healthy dating relationships among adolescents and emerging adults.

Parental Control and Conflicts in Adolescence: A Cross-National Comparison of the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, and Italy

This study investigated parental behavioral control, disciplinary style, and parent–youth conflicts in five countries: The United States, Canada, Mexico, France, and Italy. A self-report questionnaire was applied to 1,751 adolescents and their parents. Results indicate that, after controlling for possible confounding variables, parenting in the United States and Canada was characterized by reduced requirements and rules and a disciplinary style marked by induction and negotiation. A higher level of control, and a disciplinary approach more punitive and coercive characterized parents in Mexico and France. Mexican adolescents reported the highest levels of conflict, while the United States stands out with the lowest rate of conflict. Generally, Italy was at a middle position. Regression analyses indicated that harsh parental disciplinary measures are associated with conflicts in all countries. Results are discussed in light of the ethnocultural perspectives developed in cross-cultural psychology.

Rebellious Youth: Evidence on the Link between Youth Bulges, Institutional Bottlenecks, and Conflict

This article investigates the relationship between large youth cohorts and civil conflicts. While it has been frequently stated that countries with an exceptionally youthful population are more prone to violent conflicts, we argue that the rebellious potential of a youth bulge depends on the presence of institutional bottlenecks in general, and labor-market restrictions in particular, as these constraints lower the youth-specific cost of engaging in insurrection activities. We test how labor-market restrictions, as approximated by changes in unemployment, interact with the relative youth cohort size in determining the aggregate conflict risk for a sample of 119 countries for the post-Cold War period. Exploiting exogenous variation in the demographic structure by measuring the size of the youth cohort when its members where born, our results suggest that youth bulges constitute the demographic environment in which rising unemployment is more likely to trigger social tensions and violent conflicts. Moreover, we find that the degree to which large youth cohorts raise the probability of a conflict onset depends more generally on the quality of labor and business regulation, political institutions, and ethnic tensions.

The Teenage Nonviolence Test: Applicability in Hong Kong?

The Teenage Nonviolence Test (TNT) appears to be a useful tool when assessing nonviolent strategies employed by adolescents. While research has established the TNT’s psychometric properties in the United States, no studies have explored these properties elsewhere. This study, therefore, investigated the initial validity of the TNT’s factor structure and items among Hong Kong youth to determine its cross-cultural validity. Responses to the TNT were gathered from three samples of Hong Kong youth (ages 11 to 18) and subjected to principal components and confirmatory factor analyses. Results revealed the three-factor TNT solution (i.e., Physical and Psychological Violence; Empathy; Satyagraha) reported in the United States was supported, along with two additional but non-interpretable dimensions unique to Hong Kong. In general, the findings suggest preliminary evidence for the TNT’s cross-cultural validity with Hong Kong adolescents. Implications for research and psycho-educational programs to teach Hong Kong youth conflict resolution strategies are offered.

Parent-Youth Differences in Familism Values from Adolescence into Young Adulthood: Developmental Course and Links with Parent-Youth Conflict.

A critical step in capturing family processes is to incorporate the perspectives and experiences of multiple family members toward characterizing how families operate as systems. Although some research has examined differences between parents' and youth's family experiences, most studies have focused on European American families, and we know little about the nature and implications of divergent parent-youth experiences in other ethnic groups. Accordingly, we focused on Mexican-origin families and assessed the links between mother-youth and father-youth differences in familism values and parent-youth conflict from early adolescence into young adulthood. Participants were mothers, fathers, and two siblings (248 female and 244 male, 51% female; M age=14.02years) from 246 families who were interviewed in their homes on three occasions over 8years. We operationalized parent-youth differences in familism values using difference scores, controlling for mean levels of familism. Multilevel models revealed that mothers' and fathers' familism values remained relatively stable over time, but youth's familism values declined until age 17, stabilized, and then increased slightly in young adulthood. Lagged models tested directions of effect by examining whether parent-youth differences in familism values predicted parent-youth conflict or vice versa. The findings revealed that parent-youth conflict predicted greater differences in parent-youth familism values, but differences in familism values did not predict conflict. Our findings align with a family systems perspective in documenting the significance of differences between family members' perspectives and highlighting that such processes are dynamic. Further, by testing bi-directional associations in longitudinal models, we were able to disentangle the temporal ordering of differences in familism values and parent-youth conflict thereby advancing understanding of parent-youth discrepancies in cultural values.

Parent-Adolescent Conflict in African American Families.

Parent-adolescent conflict is frequent in families and has implications for youth adjustment and family relationships. Drawing on a family systems perspective, we examined mothers', fathers', and two adolescent-aged siblings' (50.5% females) reports of parent-adolescent conflict in 187 African American families. Using latent profile analysis in the context of an ethnic homogeneous design, we identified three family types based on levels of and differences between parent and youth conflict reports: low conflict, father high conflict, and younger sibling high conflict. Compared to low conflict families, youth in younger sibling high conflict families reported more depressive symptoms and risky behaviors. The results for parents' acceptance revealed that, in comparison to low conflict families, older siblings in father high conflict families reported lower acceptance from mothers, and mothers in these families reported lower acceptance of their children; further, older siblings in younger sibling high conflict families reported less acceptance from fathers, and fathers in these families reported less acceptance of their children. Results underscore the significance of levels of and both differences between and direction of differences in parents' and youth's reports of their "shared" experiences, as well as the importance of examining the larger family contexts of dyadic parent-relationships.

Gender-Specific Conflicts among Urban African-American Youth: The Roles of Situational Context and Issues of Contention

ABSTRACTThe literatures on violence among young men and young women have highlighted the importance of situational context. However, few studies have compared disputes that do not result in violence with those that do, and even fewer have been positioned to investigate the role situational context may play across gender in accounting for these outcomes. Drawing on recent scholarship on gender and violence, this research explores the situational contexts of youth conflicts among African-American adolescent boys and girls. Using a large sample of narrative accounts of 153 violent and nonviolent conflicts, we examine how youth describe the issues of contention in their conflicts, how these relate to the situational contexts in which conflicts emerge, and similarities and differences in the antecedents, contexts, and extent of male and female violence.

Mother–Adolescent conflict in African American and European American families: The role of corporal punishment, adolescent aggression, and adolescents' hostile attributions of mothers' intent

The present study examined mothers' use of corporal punishment and adolescents' aggression as predictors of mother–youth conflict during early adolescence. Particular attention was given to the potential mediating role that adolescents' hostile attributions of intent (HAI) regarding mothers' behavior might play in connections between corporal punishment, youth aggression, and mother–adolescent conflict for European American (EA) and African American (AA) youth. Data were collected from 268 12- to 14-year-olds (154 European American; 114 African American; 133 girls; 135 boys) and their mothers over a period of 2 years. Questionnaires completed by both mothers and adolescents were used to assess maternal corporal punishment and adolescent aggression, and interviews concerning hypothetical situations were used to assess adolescent HAI in year one. In both year one and year two mother–adolescent conflict was observed in a laboratory interaction session. Data revealed that adolescent HAI mediated the link between maternal corporal punishment and mother–adolescent conflict for EA, but not AA youth. Adolescents' HAI mediated the link between adolescent aggression and mother–adolescent conflict for both EA and AA families.

‘It's just drama’: teen perspectives on conflict and aggression in a networked era

Contemporary youth conflict often plays out through social media like Facebook and Twitter. ‘Drama’ is an emergent concept describing performative, interpersonal conflict that takes place in front of an active, engaged audience, often on social media. Using ethnographic data, this paper examines how American teenagers conceptualize the term drama; the relationship between drama and social media; and the implications drama has for understanding contemporary teenage conflict. The emic use of drama distances teens from practices conceptualized by adults as bullying or relational aggression, while acknowledging the role of the audience in social media interactions. Drama also serves to reinforce the conventional gendered norms of high school, perpetrating the systemic undervaluing of feminine subjects and re-inscribing heteronormativity. Understanding how drama operates helps illuminate how widespread use of social media among teenagers has altered dynamics of aggression and conflict.

Beyond Oil: Environmental Rights, Travel, Local Knowledge, and Youth Conflict in the Oil-Rich Niger Delta of Nigeria

Narratives of economic deprivation and resource control dominate the explanation of the Niger Delta oil conflict in the literature, but this article argues that the conflict can be located largely in the infringement of oil exploitation on the environmental rights of local minorities, particularly the youth. This infringement has engendered both travel and the deployment of local knowledge in the people’s struggle against oil corporations and the federal government. The conflation of environmental rights, travel, and local knowledge has helped boost and sustain the conflict. Despite a much-applauded amnesty program, the end of the conflict lies in addressing the environmental rights of the people and effecting socioeconomic improvements in the region.

Parenting style, parent−youth conflict, and medication adherence in youth with type 2 diabetes participating in an intensive lifestyle change intervention.

Parenting behaviors and family conflict relate to type 1 diabetes outcomes in youth. Our purpose was to understand these relationships in parents and youth with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The TODAY (Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth) trial enrolled youth (10-17 years) with T2DM and parent/guardian. For this ancillary study, we enrolled a sample of youth-parent pairs (N = 137) in 1 study arm (metformin plus lifestyle intervention). They completed questionnaires measuring parenting style related to normative (e.g., completing homework) and diabetes self-care (e.g., testing blood glucose) tasks, and parent-youth verbal conflict (baseline, 6, and 12 months). Parenting style was consistent across normative and diabetes tasks, with gradual increases in autonomy perceived by youth. Conversations were generally calm, with greater conflict regarding normative than diabetes tasks at baseline (youth: p < .001, parent: p = .01), 6 months (youth: p = .02, parent: p > .05), and 12 months (youth: p > .05., parent: p = .05). A permissive parenting style toward normative tasks and a less authoritarian style toward diabetes tasks, at baseline, predicted better medication adherence (8-12 months) (normative: adjusted R2 = 0.48, p < .001; diabetes: adjusted R2 = 0.47, p < .001). Parent-youth conflict did not predict medication adherence. Youth with T2DM who perceive more autonomy (less parental control) in day-to-day and diabetes tasks are more likely to adhere to medication regimens. It may be valuable to assess youth perceptions of parenting style and help parents understand youths' needs for autonomy.

The Association of Parental Self-Efficacy and Parent–Youth Connectedness With Youth Smoking Intentions

Little attention has been paid to understanding how parents of differing race/ethnicity perceive their effectiveness in exercising anti-smoking parenting practices and how these behaviors affect youth's smoking intentions. We explored the association of parent–youth connectedness and parental self-efficacy and youths’ smoking intentions in a group of African American and Caucasian never-smokers. Based on Social Bonding Theory and Social Learning Theory, a questionnaire was administered to nonsmoking, 9–16-year-old youth and parent dyads, assessing youth smoking intentions and parental measures of connectedness and self-efficacy. Youth risk factors for intending to smoke were increased parent–youth conflict and protective factors were increased parental monitoring, increased parental rule setting, and higher parental self-efficacy. Parent–youth connectedness and parental self-efficacy did not differ by parental smoking status or by race/ethnicity. Our findings underscore the importance of strong parenting practices and parental self-efficacy in protecting against youth intention to smoke and these may be important to target in future interventions.