Development of the social ecology model of adolescent interpersonal violence prevention (SEMAIVP).

The Social Ecology Model of Adolescent Interpersonal Violence Prevention (SEMAIVP) was used to examine adolescent beliefs and behaviors about interpersonal violence. Cross-sectional data were collected from middle school students using the Youth Conflict Mediation Survey. Regression models were developed for the total sample, by gender and by race. Factors explaining 48% of the variance in violence avoidance responses include more frequent positive recognition for violence avoidance, possessing a higher sense of nonviolence self-efficacy, and more frequent involvement in violence engagement behaviors. Factors explaining 53% of the variance in violence engagement responses include more exposure to neighborhood fighting, fewer prosocial anger control beliefs, fewer prosocial anger control strategies, more skill development opportunities, and more frequent involvement in violence avoidance behaviors. Findings suggest that prevention approaches need to use a comprehensive social ecology approach that includes intrapersonal, personal, school, and neighborhood environmental components and that provides recognition to adolescents for using violence avoidance skills.