A Study of the Influence of Selected Neighborhood Characteristics on Chicago Youth Homicide: 1970, 1980, 1990
The study found that youth homicide and firearm homicide rates decreased 23% and 21% respectively, during the period 1970--80. During 1980--90, the rate of youth homicide and firearm homicide increased 148% and 202% respectively. Youth homicide in Chicago was concentrated in specific neighborhoods. This study found that the differences in the rate of youth homicide and firearm homicide over the decades were partially accounted for by the increase in social and economic deprivation. Youth homicide and firearm homicide rates were significantly related to poverty, joblessness, and the percentage of single males in a neighborhood. These characteristics had a significantly different effect on youth homicide rates across the decades. This study suggests that to reduce neighborhood level rates of youth homicide victimization, intervention and prevention efforts must also target the community context. Other implications for social work practice, public policy, and research are discussed.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign