Correlates of weapon carrying in school among adolescents in three countries.

OBJECTIVES To determine the factors associated with weapon carrying in school among Czech, Russian, and US adolescents. METHODS Logistic regression was used to analyze data drawn from the Social and Health Assessment (SAHA). RESULTS Violent behavior (perpetration / victimization) was linked to adolescent weapon carrying in all countries. Substance use was associated with weapon carrying among boys in all countries. Greater parental warmth reduced the odds for weapon carrying among Czech and Russian adolescents. Associating with delinquent peers was important for weapon carrying only among US adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Factors associated with weapon carrying in school vary among countries although violent behavior and substance use may be associated with weapon carrying across countries.