The Prevalence of Violent Behavior among Lebanese University Students: Association with Behavioral and Mental Health Factors.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the prevalence of 2 key violent behaviors (weapons carrying and physical fighting), determined the health risk correlates of violent behavior, such as current tobacco smoking, alcohol binge drinking, and having multiple sexual partners, and investigated the potential mental health factors related to violent behavior among Lebanese university students.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 450 Lebanese university students based on proportionate cluster sampling. Various health and behavioral risk factors were considered for the analyses.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of weapon carrying and physical fighting was reported at 12.7% and 19.1%, respectively. Males reported more violent behavior than females; weapon carrying (20.7% vs 5.2%, p < .001), and physical fighting (31.8% vs 7.3%, p < .001). Students who engaged in violent behaviors were more likely to have risky health behaviors than those who were not involved in violent behaviors. Religiosity had a significant protective effect against engaging in physical fighting after adjusting for socio-demographic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: This study bridges the gap in the literature about violent behavior among emerging adults in Lebanon. There is a need to monitor weapon carrying by university students especially in a volatile setting like Lebanon.