Ensuring Healthy Futures

Health Provider Checklist for Adolescent and Young Adult Males

Trauma

Violence

Methods, Tools and Resources

Despite the high prevalence (of dating violence), many adolescents who are victims or perpetrators of violence do not seek help.1 Health care providers have an opportunity to promote healthy relationships, improve communication, and improve the detection of unhealthy relationships through screening for intimate partner violence (one example of a mnemonic screening tool for violent behavior is FISTS [fighting, injuries, sex, threats, and self- defense]) and subsequent referral when appropriate.2 ,3 ,4 5 (as cited in 6)

Taking a Violence History—Adolescents and Young Adults (FISTS)

  • Fighting: When was your last pushing or shoving fight? How many fights have you been in the last month? In the last year?
  • Injuries: Have you ever been injured in a fight? Has anyone you know been injured in a fight? Has anyone you know been injured or killed?
  • Sexual violence: What happens when you and your boyfriend or girlfriend have an argument? Have you ever been forced to have sex against your will?
  • Threats: Have you ever been threatened with a knife? With a gun?
  • Self-defense: How do you avoid getting in fights? Do you carry a weapon for self-defense?7

Understanding Teen Dating Violence: Practical screening and intervention strategies for pediatric and adolescent healthcare providers. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2011.

From Bell et al:

  • Screen for weapon ownership.
  • Screen for interpersonal violence and domestic violence.

1 Ashley OS, Foshee VA. Adolescent help- seeking for dating violence: prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and sources of help. J Adolesc Health. 2005; 36(1):25–31

3 Zolotor AJ, Denham AC, Weil A. Intimate partner violence. Prim Care. 2009;36(1): 167–179

3 Rhodes KV, Houry D, Cerulli C, Straus H, Kaslow NJ, McNutt LA. Intimate partner violence and comorbid mental health conditions among urban male patients. AnnFam Med. 2009;7(1):47–55

4 American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Policy statement: role of the pediatrician in youth violence prevention. Pediatrics. 2009;124(1):393– 402

5 Alpert EJ, Sege RD, Bradshaw YS. Interpersonal violence and the education of physicians.AcadMed. 1997;72(1 suppl): S41–S50

6 Marcell, Arik V. et al. Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care. Pediatrics. 2011.

7 Alpert EJ, Sege RD, Bradshaw YS. Interpersonal violence and the education of physicians. Acad Med 1997;72(1 suppl):S41-S50