The influence of some psychological problems and socio-demographic variables upon attitudes toward violence in adolescence

The aim of the this study was to evaluate the influence of different variables upon attitudes toward violence among high school students: a) gender; b) perceived academic achievement; c) emotional problems; d) conduct problems, e) attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder; f) peer problems. The study sample consisted of 564 high school students in the city of Izmir and Malatya. Participants completed The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, Attitudes Toward Violence Scale and Information Sheet. The results, which were analyzed using Pearson correlation, one way ANOVA, t-test, and multiple regression analyses, highlighted the attitudes toward violence were differentiated gender and perceived academic achievement, also attitudes toward violence were related to emotional problems, conduct problems, and ADHD. All variables related to attitudes toward violence considered contributed to predicting attitudes toward violence ( R-2=.33). Moreover, conduct problems better predicted attitudes toward violence than emotional problems, gender, and perceived academic achievement. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved