Significados, causas y efectos de la violencia social entre la juventud en Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

The aim of this research is to analyze the different meanings, causes and effects of so-cial violence from the point of view of youth, which serve to implement prevention strategies. To this end, the cases of three colonies considered priority attention areas in the city of Monterrey were analyzed. A qualitative methodology was developed in a first stage, consisted of planned observation and interviews with neighbors and community centers staff; in a second stage, participatory workshops with youth were developed. The results of the research showed that young people recognize different types of violence, they are clear about their causes, -whether biological, familiar, personal, social or insti-tutional-and their effects, psychological at the individual level, reaffirmation of violent attitudes and an increase in addictions; others at social level such as families, circles of friends and communities disintegration