CHAPTER 7 Violence
Self-mutilation, violence toward self, is a pathological yet complex behavior of youth that commonly is expressed as cutting or injury to the body for personal comfort or relief from emotional pain. Suicide is ranked as the third leading cause of death of young people (Snyder and Sickmund, 2006). Public awareness of early subtle and overt signs must be expanded, intervention services and programs require improvement, and research is needed to broaden the knowledge base and develop additional strategies for suicide prevention in all children.
Rape is a display of sexual violence toward another person. Three relational categories are defined within adolescent rape: stranger, nonstranger (date or acquaintance rape), and incest. All can be detrimental to the victim’s health and have serious, long-lasting consequences. These categories are unique in three ways: (1) how victims process the event, which determines the prevailing cognitive and psychological behaviors; (2) how health professionals are affected by the incident, and how they sort through the salient issues; and (3) techniques and methods used for treatment. Two out of every 1000 children in the United States were confirmed victims of sexual assault in 2003 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2005). Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes.
Brain Findings
Numerous studies provide data on genetic, biological, and environmental keys to aggression and violence. A biochemical link indicating an interaction between defective genes and the environment produces abnormal levels of two mood-altering neurotransmitters, serotonin and noradrenaline. Serotonin plays a key role in regulating emotions, including control of aggression, and noradrenaline organizes the brain’s response to danger. Increased levels of serotonin are associated with high self-esteem and social status; low levels are associated with low self-esteem and social status, which can lead to aggression, impulsivity, and suicidal and violent behavior (Davidson, Putnam, and Larson, 2000). These two neurotransmitters are involved in regulating the dopamine-dependent behavioral system (Rogeness and McClure, 1996).
VIOLENCE TOWARD SELF
SELF-MUTILATION
SUICIDE
IV. Health Concerns/Emergencies
WEB SITES
ANSWER: Adolescents Never Suicide When Everyone Responds http://www.teenanswer.org
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) http://www.suicidology.org
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) http://www.afsp.org
Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program http://www.yellowribbon.org
VIOLENCE TOWARD OTHERS
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Lisa Lewis-Javar, RN, SANE-P, FNC, and Vickie Whitson, RN, BSN, SANE-A
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