Impact of School Violence on Youth Alcohol Abuse: Differences Based on Gender and Grade Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of school violence on recent alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking among seventh- through 12th-grade students. A total of 54,631 students completed a survey assessing substance use and other risky behaviors. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the research questions. Results indicate that one in three students reported involvement in school violence in the past year, one in five reported using alcohol in the past month, and one in 10 reported frequently (often/a lot) engaging in episodic heavy drinking. Compared with their nonviolent counterparts, male and female adolescents and high school students involved in school violence were twice as likely to report alcohol use. Junior high school students involved in school violence were six times more likely as those not involved to report using alcohol. Findings highlight the association between school violence and alcohol abuse. Professionals working with youths should address shared underlying factors contributing to school violence and underage drinking.