Over the past three decades, substantial resources have been devoted to developing youth violence prevention (YVP) programs. These programs have demonstrated positive effects on reducing aggression and related behaviors, firearm-specific risk factors were largely overlooked due to historical barriers to firearm research. This omission is concerning, as firearms are now the leading cause of injury and death among U.S. youth. Existing YVP strategies such as Emerging Leaders address general violence risk but do not directly target firearm-related risks or suicide prevention. There remains a critical gap in prevention strategies that integrate firearm-specific content while leveraging established program infrastructure.
Youth aged approximately 13-17 years.
Identified as at elevated risk for firearm-related injury (e.g., history of violent injury, referred by violence prevention programs).
Able to provide assent (and parental/guardian consent if under 18).
Sufficient proficiency in English to complete study procedures.
Significant cognitive impairment or developmental disability that would preclude comprehension of the intervention content or study procedures.
Current psychiatric or medical instability requiring immediate treatment or hospitalization. - Non-English speaking (due to limited resources for translation of study measures and intervention materials in this pilot).
Parallel
Establish an advisory board of high-risk youth
Other interventionFifteen high-risk youth will be recruited to establish an advisory board
Feedback and advice sessions
Other interventionThe youth advisory board will provide feedback and advice on the research questions, methodology, and interpretation of data through approximately fifteen, 60-minute meetings
Youth advisory board training
Other interventionYouth will be trained in the social-ecological model and health behavior change theories, to better conceptualize the link between theory and intervention content, and to participate in the research process more actively.
Semi-structured focus groups
Other interventionWill participate in a semi-structured focus group protocol developed in collaboration with the youth advisory board while incorporating knowledge from the empirical literature and health behavior change theories.
Grounded theory of firearm related change
A document that outlines the description of the attitudes, norms, personal agency, and contextual influences that promote or deter youth from engaging in risky and safe firearm behaviors (e.g., gun carrying, safe storage), designed by the Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Advisory Board during their fifteen, 60-min meetings.
SAFE Futures content
Intervention manual developed by the focus group interactions with the interviewees
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Lead sponsor
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
