The role for psychology in the public health approach to youth violence

Abstract

The public health approach to youth violence is an approach to violent offending that addresses the antecedents of criminal behaviour. In contrast to criminal justice approaches that apply punitive measures to reduce violent offending, the public health approach highlights the role of intervention and rehabilitation. The stages through which the public health approach is applied to juvenile crime share many features with the development of treatments for psychological disorders. This article will highlight the role psychology can play in informing the public health approach to youth violence and ensuring the efficacy of interventions to reduce violent criminal behaviour.