Risky Weapon Carrying Behaviors, Youth Violence, and Substance Use Among Young Black Males in Chicago: A Cross-sectional Analysis

TL;DR

This study explores how weapon-carrying behaviors among young Black males in Chicago are linked to violence and substance use, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the relationship between weapon-carrying, exposure to violence, and substance use among young Black males in Chicago.

Findings

Exposure to violence and substance use significantly increases the likelihood of weapon-carrying behaviors.

About 17.3% of participants carried weapons in the past 30 days, and 19.1% threatened someone with a weapon 2–3 times in the past year.

For each year of age, the risk for weapon-carrying behaviors increased by 22%.

Abstract

Objectives
. The study evaluates the prevalence of risky weapon-carrying behaviors (WCB) among YBM in Chicago and examines their associations with various forms of direct and vicarious violence—youth violence, community violence, and partner abuse—as well as substance use and substance-related aggression.
Methods
. We performed Pearson Chi-square tests and multivariable negative binomial regression analysis on cross-sectional data from 266 violence-involved young Black males (YBM) in Chicago. This data was collected using a modified version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Our dependent variable, weapon-carrying behavior, was measured by the frequency of weapon carrying, including items such as guns, knives, and clubs, over the past year.
Results
. In a sample of 266 YBM (ages 15–24, 99% African American), the mean age was 18.32 ± 3.10 years, and 42.7% had some high school education. The 30-day weapon-carrying incidence was 17.3%, with 19.1% threatening someone with a weapon ≥ 2–3 times in the past year. About one-third engaged in partner violence (30.4%), primarily psychological (36.7%) and physical (28.3%) abuse. Approximately 64.8% experienced some form of violence or aggression in the past year, and 76.4% witnessed community violence. Over 20.8% reported binge drinking, and 43.6% engaged in illicit drug use, with 37.2% participating in or initiating violent acts following alcohol or drug consumption. Negative binomial regression results revealed that exposure to direct and vicarious violence, along with substance use, significantly increased the likelihood of carrying weapons. Specific risk factors such as recent threats or injuries, witnessing violence, involvement in physical altercations, and substance-related aggression significantly predict WCB. Age and relationship dynamics also critically influence these behaviors. Additionally, for each year of age, the risk for WCB increased by 22%.
Conclusions
. This study identified significant associations between different types of violence, substance use, and risky WCB among YBM in Chicago. The results underscore the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive, multifaceted interventions addressing both individual and psychosocial factors behind risky WCB. These interventions are crucial for reducing gun violence and improving urban community safety, offering vital data to inform policies and interventions for youth protection in similar environments.