Racial/Ethnic Differences in Trajectories of Aggression in a Longitudinal Sample of High-Risk, Urban Youth

PurposeTo estimate trajectories of aggression among African Americans and Hispanics using a longitudinal sample of urban adolescents, and test multiple domains of risk factors to differentiate profiles of aggression.MethodsParticipants included 3,038 adolescents followed from sixth to eighth grade. Trajectories of aggression were estimated for African Americans and Hispanics separately, and multinomial regression procedures were used to evaluate the effect of multiple domains of risk and protective factors. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the indirect effects of contextual variables on aggression.ResultsFour profiles of aggression were identified. Among Hispanics, groups included: (1) low-aggression, (2) desistors, (3) escalators, and (4) consistent aggression; among African Americans: (1) low-aggression, (2) escalators, (3) moderate-consistent aggression, and (4) consistent aggression. Differences in the multiple domains of risk factors emerged between racial/ethnic groups.ConclusionsContextual variables (peer alcohol use, adult alcohol consumption, and access to alcohol at home) increased risk for aggression differentially by racial/ethnic group.