Analysis

The Severity Classification of Violence in the Pittsburgh Youth Study is a tool used to assess the severity of violent acts committed by young individuals. The study focuses on understanding patterns of violent behavior and associated risk factors.

Objective

The objective of this tool is to categorize violent acts according to their severity in order to facilitate data analysis and the development of interventions aimed at reducing youth violence. The results are used to create risk profiles and assess levels of dangerousness.

Scoring

Violent acts are scored based on the intensity and severity of each act. This includes the assessment of physical harm caused, the use of weapons, and the psychological impact on victims. Each act receives a score that reflects its seriousness, with higher scores indicating more severe forms of violence.

References

Loeber, R., Farrington, D. P., Stouthamer-Loeber, M., & Van Kammen, W. B. (1998). Antisocial Behavior and Mental Health Problems: Explanatory Factors in Childhood and Adolescence. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

Loeber, R., & Farrington, D. P. (2001). The Significance of Child Delinquency. In Child Delinquency: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs. U.S. Department of Justice.