The findings from this study suggest that there are youth
assets as well as demographic characteristics that might have
protected against youths’ self-reported physical fighting in
the past year and weapon carrying in the past 30 days. It is
not surprising that youth with the assets of experiencing
family communication and making responsible choices were
significantly more likely to report no physical fighting and
not carrying a weapon. Male youth were particularly at risk
for both fighting and weapon carrying when compared with
female youth, and some racial/ethnic groups were more likely
to report weapon carrying than others. Finally, being in high
school, living in a two-parent household, and living in a
family having a higher family income were also associated
with no physical fighting.
Further studies are needed to clarify the findings of this study
that conflict with previous research regarding use of time in
religious activities. In this study, the asset was not protective
for either of the risk behaviors studied. Further research is also
needed to determine if there are causal relationships between
assets and youth violence and, if found, the process by which
youth acquire assets must also be explicated.