This book offers a critical appraisal of research and theory focused on violence in youth, families, and communities. Chapters examine the ways in which violence is defined and understood; how risk and protective factors promote and inhibit violence in families and in communities; and how violence and related behaviors differ by gender, race, and ethnicity. Work reviewed throughout the book examines overlapping forms of violence, the impact of violence on families, and resilience in child victims. Current evidence and advances in preventing violence are also noted and discussed ... More

This book offers a critical appraisal of research and theory focused on violence in youth, families, and communities. Chapters examine the ways in which violence is defined and understood; how risk and protective factors promote and inhibit violence in families and in communities; and how violence and related behaviors differ by gender, race, and ethnicity. Work reviewed throughout the book examines overlapping forms of violence, the impact of violence on families, and resilience in child victims. Current evidence and advances in preventing violence are also noted and discussed. Emphasis is placed on understanding key social influences, environmental factors, and the role of larger systems in the etiology and prevention of violence. The book provides a comprehensive overview of published studies, limitations of research findings, and a thoughtful discussion of the ways in which future research can build on what is currently known about the causes, consequences, and prevention of violence in different settings.