79 Factors associated with perception of life expectancy in assault-injured urban youth: an emergency department sample
Tyler Lennon
Abstract
<h3>Statement of Purpose</h3> This study aimed to identify factors associated with perception of minimized life expectancy in assault-injured youth, a population at-risk for future assault-related injuries. <h3>Methods/Approach</h3> Assault-injured youth (n=188; ages 10–15 years; 61% male; 96% black) were recruited from two urban pediatric emergency departments (Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA) to participate in a mentoring intervention to prevent violence. At enrollment, youth were asked ‘Do you think you will live to 35?’; youth responding ‘yes’ (optimistic life expectancy) were compared to youth responding ‘maybe’ (uncertain life expectancy) using descriptive statistics, t-tests and chi-square analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Although there were no differences between the groups in age, gender or socioeconomic status, youth with an uncertain life expectancy (31.4%, n=59) were more likely to have a family member injured by violence (61.0% vs. 43.4%, p=0.028) or in a gang (42.1% vs. 19.2%, p=0.002) and less likely to take steps to avoid a fight (57.6% vs. 76.7%, p=0.01) or think about consequences before acting (70.7% vs. 87.6%, p=0.007). These youth were also more likely to believe that revenge is a good thing (47.4% vs. 29.0%, p=0.019), and think about suicide (42.9% vs. 7.9%, p<0.001). Finally, youth with an uncertain life expectancy felt less likely to go to college or have a successful career, and more likely to have difficulty finding a good job in adulthood. <h3>Conclusions</h3> One third of assault-injured early adolescents expressed uncertainty of living until age 35. Several risk factors and behaviors were identified as being associated with possible risk of premature death. <h3>Significance and Contributions To Injury And Violence Prevention Science</h3> Perception of risk of premature death is present in a sizable proportion of assault-injured youth. Future work should investigate the impact that an uncertain life expectancy has on future behaviors and response to violence prevention interventions.