Gender Attitudes,Sexual Risk,Intimate Partner Violence,and Coercive Sex Among Adolescent Gang Members

Purpose

Adolescent gang members are at greater risk of poor sexual health outcomes than nongang members. Gang members' beliefs about gender may explain variation in their sexual health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine how gangs' and gang members' beliefs about gender are associated with sexual health outcomes, including sexual risk-taking, intimate partner violence, and coercive sex.

<Emphasis Type="Italic">True Love</Emphasis>: Effectiveness of a School-Based Program to Reduce Dating Violence Among Adolescents in Mexico City

Dating violence is a significant problem in Mexico. National survey data estimated 76 % of Mexican youth have been victims of psychological aggression in their relationships; 15.5 % have experienced physical violence; and 16.5 % of women have been the victims of sexual violence. Female adolescents perpetrate physical violence more frequently than males, while perpetration between genders of other types of violence is unclear. Furthermore, poor, marginalized youth are at a higher risk for experiencing dating violence. “Amor… pero del Bueno” (True Love) was piloted in two urban, low-income high schools in Mexico City to prevent dating violence. The intervention consisted of school-level and individual-level components delivered over 16 weeks covering topics on gender roles, dating violence, sexual rights, and strategies for coping with dating violence. The short-term impact was assessed quasi-experimentally, using matching techniques and fixed-effects models. A sample of 885 students (381 students exposed to the classroom-based curriculum of the individual-level component (SCC, IL-1) and 540 exposed only to the school climate component (SCC)) was evaluated for the following: changes in dating violence behaviors (psychological, physical and sexual), beliefs related to gender norms, knowledge, and skills for preventing dating violence. We found a 58 % (p?<?0.05) and 55 % (p?<?0.05) reduction in the prevalence of perpetrated and experienced psychological violence, respectively, among SCC, IL-1 males compared to males exposed only to the SCC component. We also found a significant reduction in beliefs and attitudes justifying sexism and violence in dating relationships among SCC, IL-1 females (6 %; p?<?0.05) and males (7 %; p?<?0.05).     

Masculine Gender Roles Associated with Increased Sexual Risk and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Young Adult Men

This study sought to assess the association between traditional masculine gender role ideologies and sexual risk and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration behaviors in young men's heterosexual relationships. Sexually active men age 18–35 years attending an urban community health center in Boston were invited to join a study on men's sexual risk; participants (N=307) completed a brief self-administered survey on sexual risk (unprotected sex, forced unprotected sex, multiple sex partners) and IPV perpetration (physical, sexual and injury from/need for medical services due to IPV) behaviors, as well as demographics. Current analyses included men reporting sex with a main female partner in the past 3 months (n=283). Logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics were used to assess significant associations between male gender role ideologies and the sexual risk and IPV perpetration behaviors. Participants were predominantly Hispanic (74.9%) and Black (21.9%); 55.5% were not born in the continental U.S.; 65% had been in the relationship for more than 1 year. Men reporting more traditional ideologies were significantly more likely to report unprotected vaginal sex in the past 3 months (OR_adj = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2–4.6) and IPV perpetration in the past year (OR_adj = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.6). Findings indicate that masculine gender role ideologies are linked with young men's unprotected vaginal sex and IPV perpetration in relationships, suggesting that such ideologies may be a useful point of sexual risk reduction and IPV prevention intervention with this population.Santana and Raj are with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Decker and Silverman are with the Department of Society, Human Development and Health and Division of Public Health Practice, Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; La Marche is with the Martha Eliot Health Center, Boston, MA, USA.     

Intimate Partner Violence Among Men Having Sex with Men,Women, or Both: Early-Life Sexual and Physical Abuse as Antecedents

Little is known about the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) or about childhood adversity as a predictor of IPV among MSM. Studies have documented high rates of childhood sexual abuse among MSM. To evaluate associations of early-life sexual and physical abuse with IPV among African American heterosexual men or MSM, prevalence of early-life (≤21 years) sexual and physical abuse was measured among 703 nonmonogamous African American men. Men were classified as (1) MSM who disclosed male sex partners; (2) MSM who initially denied male sex partners but subsequently reported oral-genital and anal-genital behaviors with men; (3) non-MSM. MSM who initially disclosed male sex partners reported significantly (P < 0.0001) higher rates of early physical abuse (36%) and lifetime abuse (49%) compared with non-MSM (15 and 22%), respectively. These MSM reported significantly higher rates of sexual abuse by age 11, age 21, and over a lifetime compared with non-MSM (P < 0.0001). Being an MSM who initially disclosed male sex partners (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.6) and early-life sexual abuse (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.8, 4.3) was associated with IPV victimization in current relationships. Similarly, being an MSM with early-life physical and sexual abuse was associated (0.0004 ≤ P ≤ 0.07) with IPV perpetration. Early-life physical and sexual abuse was higher among MSM who disclosed male sex partners compared with heterosexual men; however, all MSM who experienced early-life abuse were more likely to be IPV victims or perpetrators.     

Rape perpetration by young, rural South African men: Prevalence, patterns and risk factors

Sexual violence is a well-recognised global health problem, but there has been remarkably little research on men as perpetrators. The objectives of this paper are to describe the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with rape of an intimate partner and a woman who was not a partner with men aged 15-26 years in rural South Africa. The analysis presented here is of data collected during a baseline survey of participants in a cluster randomised controlled trial of an HIV behavioural intervention. A total of 1370 male volunteers were recruited from 70 rural South African villages. They completed a questionnaire asking about background, sexual practices and perpetration of rape and intimate partner violence. Among these men 16.3% had raped a non-partner, or participated in a form of gang rape; 8.4% had been sexually violent towards an intimate partner; and 79.1% had done neither. The mean age of first rape was 17 years. There was overlap between rape of a non-partner and partner, in that 44.3% of men who raped an intimate partner had also raped a non-partner, but overall the great majority of men who raped did not disclose both types of rape. The factors associated with rape of an intimate partner and non-partner had similarities and differences. After adjusting for the other variables, both forms of rape were strongly associated with ever having been physically violent to a partner, having had transactional sex with a casual partner and more sexual partners. Non-partner rape was also associated with peer-related variables, including gang membership and peer pressure to have sex, and also drug use. Non-partner rape was more common among wealthier and relatively more socially advantaged men. Both types of rape were associated with having more adverse childhood experiences. There was considerable overlap between rape-associated factors and known HIV risk factors, suggesting a need for further research on the interface of rape and HIV, and integrated prevention programming.     

Evaluation of the Responsible,Engaged, and Loving (REAL) Fathers Initiative on Physical Child Punishment and Intimate Partner Violence in Northern Uganda

Violence against women and violence against children in Uganda are recognized as significant public health concerns. Exposure to violence at home as a child can increase the likelihood of perpetrating or experiencing violence later in life. These two forms of violence share similar risk factors and often, but not always, co-occur at the household level. Parenting programs have shown promise in reducing physical child punishment. Targeting men has also been proven effective in transforming attitudes related to gender roles and expectations and intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. The REAL Fathers Initiative is a 12-session father mentoring program implemented by volunteers that is designed to reduce child exposure to violence at home, breaking the cycle of intergenerational violence. Evaluation results comparing survey data among men exposed to the intervention and those unexposed demonstrate significant reductions in IPV at end line (aOR 0.48, CI 0.31, 0.76, p?<?0.001) and over the longer term follow-up (aOR 0.47, CI 0.31, 0.77, p?<?0.001) and significant reductions in physical child punishment at long-term follow-up (aOR 0.52, CI 0.32, 0.82, p?<?0.001).     

Protective Factors for Sexual Violence: Understanding How Trajectories Relate to Perpetration in High School

Adolescent sexual violence (SV) perpetration is a significant public health problem. Many risk factors for perpetration are known, but less is known about what protects youth from perpetration, or how protective factors change over time. This longitudinal study reports trajectories of four potential protective factors for SV perpetration (empathy, parental monitoring, social support, and school belonging) across middle and high school and examines their relationship to SV perpetration in high school. Findings reveal that youth who identified as SV perpetrators had significantly lower mean empathy scores (d?=????0.18,?95?%?CI [?0.26,??0.10]) and social support scores (d?=????0.05,?95?%?CI [?0.14,??0.03]) at the beginning of middle school than non-perpetrators. We also found that youth who identified as SV perpetrators had a quicker deceleration in parental monitoring (slopes) and empathy from middle to high school, compared to non-perpetrators. Within-sex differences emerged; significant differences in slopes were detected for school belonging between male perpetrators and male non-perpetrators (Wald test?=?3.76 (1), p?=?.05) and between female perpetrators and female non-perpetrators (Wald test?=?3.95(1), p?=?.04). Significant differences in slopes for empathy between female perpetrators and female non-perpetrators (Wald test?=?4.76(1), p?=?.03) were also detected. No differences were found between male and female SV perpetrators for either empathy or school belonging. These findings have implications for the content and timing of adolescent SV prevention efforts. Intervention in adolescence, involving parents and schools in a comprehensive, multi-level approach, may be effective in preventing SV perpetration.     

Sexual Risks and Policing among Male Migrant and Non-migrant Market Vendors in Central Asia

The following study examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing among external migrant, internal migrant, and non-migrant male market workers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Negative binomial regression and logistic regressions examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing (questioning by market officials and migration police, and arrest) for 1342 external, internal, and non-migrant workers recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were stratified by migration status. External migrants were more likely than non-migrants to experience questioning by market officials (IRR = 2.07, p<0.01), migration police (IRR = 3.60, p<0.001), and arrest (OR = 5.32, p<0.001). When stratified by migration status, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (IRR = 3.04, p<0.01) and sex with men (IRR = 2.71, p<0.05) were associated with being questioned or harassed by market police among external migrants. External migrant who reported having more than one sex partner while traveling were also more likely to report being arrested than external migrants (OR = 3.92, p<0.05). Meeting HIV prevention needs of labor migrants demands acknowledging the role of policing and allocating sufficient resources to support the implementation of HIV prevention programs in these settings.     

Intimate Partner Violence Associated with Postpartum Depression,Regardless of Socioeconomic Status

Objective This study examined whether socioeconomic status moderated the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and postpartum depression among a community-based sample of women. Defining the role of poverty in the risk of postpartum depression for IPV victims enables prioritization of health promotion efforts to maximize the effectiveness of existing maternal-infant resources. Methods This cross-sectional telephone-survey study interviewed 301 postpartum women 2 months after delivery, screening them for IPV and depression [using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)]. Socioeconomic status was defined by insurance (Medicaid-paid-delivery or not). This analysis controlled for the following covariates, collected through interview and medical-record review: demographics, obstetric history, prenatal health and additional psychosocial risk factors. After adjusting for significant covariates, multiple linear regression was conducted to test whether socioeconomic status confounded or moderated IPV’s relationship with EPDS-score. Results Ten percent of participants screened positive for postpartum depression, 21.3 % screened positive for current or previous adult emotional or physical abuse by a partner, and 32.2 % met poverty criteria. IPV and poverty were positively associated with each other (χ² (1) = 11.76, p < .001) and with EPDS score (IPV: beta 3.2 (CI 2.0, 4.5) p < .001, poverty: beta 1.3 (CI 0.2, 2.4) p = .017). In the multiple linear regression, IPV remained significantly associated, but poverty did not (IPV: adjusted beta 3.1 (CI 1.8, 4.3) p < .001, poverty: adjusted beta 0.8 (CI ?0.3, 1.9) p = .141), and no statistically significant interaction between IPV and poverty was found. Conclusions Study findings illustrated that IPV was strongly associated with postpartum depression, outweighing the influence of socioeconomic status upon depression for postpartum women.     

Social Norms and Beliefs Regarding Sexual Risk and Pregnancy Involvement among Adolescent Males Treated for Dating Violence Perpetration

The present study explored perceived sexual norms and behaviors related to sexual risk and pregnancy involvement among adolescent males (ages 13 to 20) participating in programs for perpetrators of dating violence. The purpose of this study was to generate hypotheses regarding the contexts and mechanisms underlying the intersection of adolescent dating violence, sexual risk and pregnancy. Six focus groups were conducted (N = 34 participants). A number of major themes emerged: 1) male norm of multiple partnering, 2) perceived gain of male social status from claims of sexual activity, 3) perception that rape is uncommon combined with belief that girls claiming to be raped are liars, 4) perception that men rationalize rapes to avoid responsibility, 5) condom non-use in the context of rape and sex involving substance use, 6) beliefs that girls lie and manipulate boys in order to become pregnant and trap them into relationships, and 7) male avoidance of responsibility and negative responses to pregnancy. The combination of peer-supported norms of male multiple partnering and adversarial sexual beliefs appear to support increased male sexual risk, lack of accountability for sexual risk, and rationalization of rape and negative responses to pregnancy. Further research focused on the context of male sexual risk and abusive relationship behaviors is needed to inform intervention with young men to promote sexual health and prevent rape, dating violence, and adolescent pregnancy.Silverman, Decker, Reed, and Hathaway are with the Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Boston, MA, USA; Rothman and Raj are with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston, MA, USA; Miller is with the Harvard Medical School, Department of Adolescent Medicne, Boston, MA, USA.     

Sexual Knowledge,Sexual Attitude,and Life Satisfaction Among Korean Older Adults: Implications for Educational Programs

The aim of this study was to: identify the sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, and life satisfaction in Korean older adults; and explore significant factors among demographic characteristics, sexual activity, sexual knowledge, and sexual attitude, that influence life satisfaction among Korean older adults. Participants were recruited in community centers and public parks (N = 571). Data were collected on sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, and life satisfaction using three valid and reliable instruments. Data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Educational level, gender, and living arrangement significantly affected sexual knowledge and attitudes (p < .001) among older adults. There was a positive relationship between sexual knowledge and attitudes (r = .490, p < .001), life satisfaction and sexual knowledge (r = .144, p = .001), and life satisfaction and sexual attitudes (r = .121, p = .004). Age (β = .16, t = 3.45, p < .01), gender (β = .52, t = 2.07, p < .05), presence of spouse (β = ?.12, t = ?2.42, p < .05), and sexual knowledge (β = .10, t = 2.17, p < .05) were factors with a significant influence on life satisfaction for older adults. When designing and implementing sexual counseling and education programs for older adults, individual background, sexual knowledge, and sexual attitudes must be assessed and considered. Also, those without spouses who live alone may need more attention because they tend to have low knowledge levels and negative attitudes toward sexual activity.     

Intimate Partner Violence,Sexual Autonomy and Postpartum STD Prevention Among Young Couples: A Mediation Analysis

CONTEXT

The transition to parenthood is a stressful time for young couples and can put them at risk for acquiring STDs. Mechanisms underlying this risk—particularly, intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual autonomy—have not been well studied.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2011, a prospective cohort study of the relationships and health of pregnant adolescents and their male partners recruited 296 couples at four hospital‐based obstetrics and gynecology clinics in the U.S. Northeast; participants were followed up six and 12 months after the birth. Structural equation modeling identified associations among IPV at baseline and six months, sexual autonomy at six months and STD acquisition at 12 months. Mediating effects of sexual autonomy were tested via bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Females were aged 14–21, and male partners were 14 or older. For females, IPV victimization at baseline was positively associated with the likelihood of acquiring a postpartum STD (coefficient, 0.4); level of sexual autonomy was inversely associated with the likelihood of acquiring an STD and of having a male partner who acquired one by the 12‐month follow‐up (–0.4 for each). For males, IPV victimization at baseline was negatively correlated with a female partner's sexual autonomy (–0.3) and likelihood of acquiring an STD (–0.7); victimization at six months was positively related to a partner's sexual autonomy (0.2). Sexual autonomy did not mediate these relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Females' sexual autonomy appears to protect against postpartum STDs for both partners. Future research should explore the efficacy of IPV‐informed approaches to improving women's sexual and reproductive health.     

Overlapping intimate partner violence and sex trading among high-risk women: Implications for practice

Despite research indicating higher than average rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) across groups of vulnerable women, less is known about the prevalence and types of IPV experienced by women who trade sex for money, drugs, shelter or food, a high risk group for poor health and psychosocial outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design and multivariate logistic regression analyses, this study examined the relationship between IPV and sex trading in a convenience sample of 346 HIV-negative, drug-involved women in relationships, recruited during 2005–2010 in New York City. About 41% and 36% of participants reported lifetime and recent IPV, respectively, by their main partner, with significant differences by recent engagement in sex trading (p < 0.01). Results of multivariate analyses indicated that sex trading was associated with recent severe physical or sexual IPV (OR = 3.07, p < 0.01) and that depression, having ever been married, child sexual abuse, and income were associated with IPV (p < 0.05). Women who reported childhood sexual abuse and recent sex trading had a 7.37 higher odds (p < 0.01) for reporting severe physical or sexual IPV compared to those who reported neither. Findings highlight the need to expand screening and interventions among women who trade sex.     

Prospective Predictors of Multiple Sexual Partners Among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men

Studies show that having sex with multiple partners increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The present article reports prospective predictors of having multiple sexual partners among 505 African American men in Philadelphia who have sex with men (MSM) who participated in an intervention trial and attended a 6-month follow-up. Participants completed audio computer-assisted surveys of demographics, sexual behavior, and Reasoned Action Approach and Social Cognitive Theory mediators concerning multiple partners. We analyzed the incidence of self-reported multiple partners at the 6-month follow-up, controlling for treatment condition and baseline levels of the theoretical variables. The odds of having multiple partners decreased with increasing age (p?<?.03). Participants who said they were HIV positive had lower odds of having multiple partners (p?<?.009). The more pride participants reported in their identities as black or African American men, the lower the odds that they reported having multiple partners (p?<?.02). Adverse outcome expectancies accruing to multiple partners fully mediated the effect of black pride and partially mediated the effects of age on the odds of having multiple partners. Modifiable factors such as perceived negative outcome expectancies regarding having multiple sex partners should be addressed in designing interventions and prevention programs with the goal of decreasing the number of sexual partners among African American MSM.     

Sexual Functioning and Selected Clinical and Psychosocial Factors Among Individuals with Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain in Ibadan,Nigeria

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) has significant impact on psychosocial life, functional status, and sexual functioning. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction, and influence of selected clinical and psychosocial factors on sexual functioning were investigated in patients with CNLP in Ibadan, Nigeria. Sexual function, pain intensity, pain disability, quality of life were assessed using a modified questionnaire on sexual dysfunction in CNLBP, visual analogue scale, Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire and quality of life questionnaires respectively. General attitude to sexuality, fear of increased pain at the low back, unwillingness to have sex, expression of sexual feelings, fear of losing the ability to perform sexual activities were assessed with the modified questionnaire. Participants (50 males; 46 females) were aged 46.7 ± 11.8 years. Orgasmic sexual dysfunction (50.0%) was the most prevalent while dysfunction with sexual satisfaction (14.6%) was the least prevalent. Participants with or without sexual dysfunction did not differ significantly in age (p = 0.07), pain duration (p = 0.64), pain disability (p = 0.76) and quality of life (p = 0.64). However, they differed significantly in pain intensity (p = 0.00). Significant associations exist between gender (p = 0.000) and sexual functioning. Participants’ sexual functioning were significantly influenced by psychosocial factors willingness to have sex (p = 0.013), expression of sexual feelings (p = 0.000). Participants’ pain intensity also significantly influenced (p = 0.00) their sexual functioning. Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain and was influenced by clinical factors of pain intensity, pain disability, quality of life and psychosocial factors of general attitude towards sexuality, expression of sexual feelings, and willingness to have sex.     

Church Attendance as a Predictor of Number of Sexual Health Topics Discussed Among High-Risk HIV-Negative Black Women

Research suggests that sexual health communication is associated with safer sex practices. In this study, we examined the relationship between church attendance and sexual health topics discussed with both friends and sexual partners among a sample of urban Black women. Participants were 434 HIV-negative Black women who were at high risk for contracting HIV through heterosexual sex. They were recruited from Baltimore, Maryland using a network-based sampling approach. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and Audio-Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews. Fifty-four percent of the participants attended church once a month or more (regular attendees). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that regular church attendance among high-risk HIV-negative Black women was a significant predictor of the number of sexual health topics discussed with both friends (AOR = 1.85, p = .003) and sexual partners (AOR = 1.68, p = .014). Future efforts to reduce HIV incidence among high-risk Black women may benefit from partnerships with churches that equip faith leaders and congregants with the tools to discuss sexual health topics with both their sexual partners and friends.     

Sexual Agreements and Intimate Partner Violence Among Male Couples in the U.S.: An Analysis of Dyadic Data

Prior research with male couples has focused on how sexual agreements can influence relationship dynamics, sexual risk taking, and health promoting behaviors. Little is known about the association between sexual agreements and the experience or perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in this population. Our study sought to evaluate these associations using dyadic data from a sample of 386 male couples residing in the U.S. Both partners independently reported on their relationship characteristics, sexual agreements, and specific acts reflecting physical, emotional, controlling, and monitoring IPV in separate surveys. Participants were more likely to have experienced IPV in the past year if they were in a relationship for?≥?3 years versus?<?3 years (aOR?=?1.62, 95% CI?=?1.03–2.53). Among 278 couples who had formulated sexual agreements, men who concurred with their partners on being in an “open” relationship were less likely to have experienced IPV versus those in a “closed” relationship (aOR?=?0.47, 95% CI?=?0.25–0.89). However, participants were more likely to have experienced IPV if their partners believed they had previously broken their sexual agreement (aOR?=?2.79, 95% CI?=?1.03–7.52). The verbal explicitness and duration of sexual agreements were not associated with either experiencing or perpetrating IPV in the past year. However, increasing levels of depressive symptomatology were associated with a greater likelihood of both experiencing and perpetrating IPV. Our findings highlight the need to prioritize dyadic interventions for male couples that focus on skills building around enhancing mutual communication and negotiating sexual agreements to reduce IPV.

     

Interpersonal and structural contexts of intimate partner violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected northern Uganda

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of violence against women, yet remains under-researched among sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored the interpersonal and structural determinants of recent IPV among female sex workers in northern Uganda. This analysis drew on data from a community-based cross-sectional study (conducted May 2011–January 2012), involving 379 female sex workers in Gulu, northern Uganda. Using logistic regression and multivariable modeling, we examined the correlates of recent male-perpetrated physical or sexual IPV. Of 379 women with noncommercial partners, 59 percent reported having experienced recent moderate/severe physical or sexual IPV. Reporting recent client violence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.67; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 2.31–5.83), doing what their partner wanted (AOR: 2.46; 95 percent CI: 1.46–4.13), and forced sexual debut (AOR: 1.92; 95 percent CI: 1.20–3.05) were independently associated with moderate/severe IPV; recent police arrest and/or incarceration were/was marginally significantly associated with IPV (AOR: 2.25; 95 percent CI: 0.86–5.88, p = 0.097). Greater odds of IPV among sex workers were associated with recent workplace violence, forced sexual debut, and gendered power dynamics favoring male partner control. Programs and policies promoting the safety and health of marginalized women and addressing gender dynamics and violence are needed.     

College Students Opinions on Gun Violence

Gun violence and control issues have become serious public health problems. This study gathered the opinions from 419 college students from a Midwestern University. Participants were asked about beliefs about purchasing assault weapons, beliefs about bringing handguns to college campuses and beliefs about contributing factors that lead to gun violence. Participants completed surveys online. The findings showed that overall 54 % of respondents believed that military assault weapons should be banned and 53 % agree that teachers should be allowed to carry a registered handgun on campus. There were statistically significant differences between males and females on these issues. For instance, females believed military assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be banned more than 1.9 times (p = .004) p < .05 compared to male students. On the other hand, female students were more likely to believe that school teachers should be allowed to carry registered handguns on school campuses more than 1.55 times (p = .046) p < .05 compared to their male student counterparts. There were no statistically significant differences between ethnic groups. The top four contributing factors that students believed led to gun violence were decline in parenting and family values (17 %), gang involvement (14 %), bullying (13.8 %) and guns being easy to obtain (13.8 %). Limitations and implications for policy work are discussed.