Beliefs about Conflict—NYC Youth Violence Survey

In an effort to better understand the causes of youth violence in New York City, the NYC Youth Violence Survey was conducted in 2013. The survey asked over 1,000 New York City high school students about their beliefs and attitudes regarding conflict and violence. The results of the survey revealed some interesting insights into the minds of young people in the city. The survey found that the majority of students believed that violence was not the best way to solve a conflict. However, a significant number of students also felt that it was sometimes necessary to use violence to protect themselves or their friends. This suggests that while young people in the city do not condone violence, they may be more likely to resort to it if they feel threatened. The survey also revealed that students had a variety of beliefs about the causes of violence. A majority of students believed that poverty, racism, and lack of education were major contributors to youth violence. Other students cited family issues, peer pressure, and the media as contributing factors. The survey also revealed that students had different opinions about how to prevent youth violence. Many students felt that providing more educational and recreational opportunities for young people was the best way to reduce violence. Others suggested that increasing police presence and creating more jobs for young people would be effective strategies. Overall, the NYC Youth Violence Survey provided valuable insight into the beliefs and attitudes of young people in the city. The survey revealed that while students generally do not condone violence, they may be more likely to resort to it if they feel threatened. It also showed that students had a variety of beliefs about the causes of violence and different opinions about how to prevent it. These findings can help city officials and community leaders develop effective strategies to reduce youth violence in New York City.
DESCRIPTION
These items measure Beliefs about conflict and perceptions of familial beliefs on fightingand weapon carrying.
KEYWORDS
This tool touches on the following keywords:
·         Conflict
·         Personal Attitudes and Beliefs
·         Peer Relationships
WHERE TO FIND OR DOWNLOAD
This instrument can be found on pages 31-32 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf .
FEES AND REQUIREMENTS
None noted.
AGE RANGE
Students in grades 9-12.
HOW TO ADMINISTER AND SCORE
Items can be considered separately or as an index of beliefs about conflict resolution. If considered separately‚ point values are assigned to correspond to the response categories. To cr‎eate an index using items 2-9‚ point values can be assigned as follows:
Yes = 3
Don’t know = 2
No = 1
Items 3 and 5 should be reverse coded. Scores are derived by summing across all responses. Atotal of 24 points is possible‚ with high scores indicating poor conflict resolution beliefs.
Source

Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH)‚ Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. New York City Youth Violence Survey. Atlanta‚ GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‚ 1993.

Beliefs about Conflict—NYC Youth Violence Survey
1. Suppose someone was trying to start a physical fight with you. Which one of the following is most important in deciding whether you would get in a physical fight?
a. What your friends would think
b. What your parents would think
c. Whether you would get into trouble at school
d. Whether you would get hurt
e. Other
2. Threatening to use a weapon is an effective way to avoid a physical fight.
3. Avoiding or walking away from someone who wants to fight you is an effective way to avoid a physical fight.
4. Carrying a weapon is an effective way to avoid a physical fight.
5. Apologizing (saying you’re sorry) is an effective way to avoid a physical fight.
6. If someone hit me first‚ my family would want me to hit them back.
7. If someone attacked me‚ my family would want me to defend myself even if it meant using a weapon.
8. If I was going to be in a physical fight‚ I’d feel safer if I had a knife.
9. If I was going to be in a physical fight‚ I’d feel safer if I had a handgun.
 
 
 
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