Traumatic injuries caused by hazing practices

doi:10.1053/ajem.2002.32649

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine

Volume 20, Issue 3, May 2002, Pages 228-233

https://doi.org/10.1053/ajem.2002.32649 Get rights and content

Abstract

Hazing is defined as committing acts against an individual or forcing an individual into committing an act that creates a risk for harm in order for the individual to be initiated into or affiliated with an organization. Hazing is an enduring activity with roots that date back to the ancient and medieval eras. It has become increasingly prevalent in fraternities and sororities, high school and college athletic organizations, the military, professional sports teams, and street gangs. Scant information is available in the medical literature regarding hazing. This article reviews the history of hazing, provides statistics regarding its prevalence, presents information on specific hazing practices and consequent traumatic injuries, and assesses alcohol's influence on hazing. It also offers recommendations on how to recognize victims of hazing in the Emergency Department and proposes guidelines for their treatment. Current legislation and information on the prevention of traumatic injuries from hazing are discussed. (Am J Emerg Med 2002;20:228-233. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)

Section snippets

Methods of data acquisition

Research for this article included a literature search of journal articles on the medical and forensic aspects of hazing; newspaper, news magazine, and news Web site reports detailing hazing incidents; reference texts on hazing; a nationwide survey completed by athletes regarding hazing practices; and social science journal articles on the precipitants and consequences of hazing.

History of hazing

Hazing has been practiced for ages, having existed in ancient and medieval schools in Greece, North Africa, and Western Europe. At that time it was called pennalism, and during the 1600s it became a requirement for graduation. University administrators and upperclassmen believed that underclassmen were uncivilized and had to be properly groomed. The pennalism requirement, however, was abolished in the 1700s because of serious injuries and deaths caused by the practice.² In the 18th and 19th

Prevalence

Considering the presumed massive underreporting of incidents, defining the prevalence of hazing is extremely difficult and few studies have attempted to quantify it. An investigator from Alfred University, however, conducted a national survey of a random sample of college athletes at National Collegiate Athletic Association institutions in early 1999. Of the 325,000 athletes surveyed, 80% of respondents reported anonymously that they were subjected to “questionable or unacceptable activities as

Methods of hazing

The methods by which individuals are hazed vary. Knowledge of these practices is important for medical personnel who treat the victims. Sometimes hazed patients will conceal the cause or extent of their traumatic injuries. An emergency physician who is aware of the types of hazing practices will be better equipped to manage these patients (Table 1).

. Summary of Hazing Practices, Mechanism, and Injuries

Hazing Practices	Mechanism	Potential Injuries
Alcohol, binge drinking	Acute alcohol intoxication

Conclusion

Hazing practices are so hazardous and increasingly prevalent that emergency physicians are now obliged to educate themselves about these activities so victims may be treated with adequate medical and psychiatric care. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the severity and range of traumatic injuries to have a low threshold for suspected harm. Hazing prevention through legislation, university policies, grass roots organizations, and individual community activity may be effective in lessening

References (17)

BA Baker et al.
Hemoglobinuria after fraternity hazing
Am J Kidney Dis
(1982)
H Nuwer
High School Hazing
J Leslie et al.
Forensic aspects of fraternity hazing
Am J Forensic Med Pathol
(1985)
H Nuwer
Wrongs of Passage
H Nuwer
Wrongs of Passage
N Hoover
National Survey: Initiation Rites and Athletics for NCAA Sports Teams. Alfred University, 1999
H Nuwer
Wrongs of Passage
H Nuwer
High School Hazing

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (57)

Employee resilience and mentoring functions as moderators of the relationship between workplace hazing and affective organizational commitment
2023, International Journal of Hospitality Management
Although numerous studies have discussed hazing through qualitative methods, few have investigated workplace hazing as an antecedent, and the mechanisms influencing the relationship between workplace hazing and affective organizational commitment (AOC) in hospitality contexts. The present study applied leader-member exchange theory and the challenge–hindrance stressor framework to determine the roles of employee resilience and mentoring functions in buffering the negative effects of workplace hazing on AOC. A multi-group analysis was conducted on data collected from newcomers working at hotels in China. The results revealed that workplace hazing significantly and negatively influenced AOC. Both Employee resilience and mentoring functions positively correlated with AOC and buffered the negative relationship between workplace hazing and AOC. This study provides insights into how employee programs can be enhanced to reduce the negative effects of workplace hazing on AOC in the hospitality industry.
Applying utilization-focused evaluation to high school hazing prevention: A pilot intervention
2019, Evaluation and Program Planning
Citation Excerpt :
Hence, if teachers and school staff are trained to recognize bullying behavior only, they may overlook instances of hazing which tend to manifest differently (Allan, 2014). Emotional and physical harm are documented outcomes of hazing (Finkel, 2002; Hoover, 1999; Nuwer, 1999, 2017) and consequences of hazing can also be lethal (Nuwer, 2017). Beyond individual harm, hazing can undermine a healthy school climate and diminish positive group and leadership experiences for students.
Researchers argue that hazing can contribute to an abusive school climate and interfere with a positive learning environment for students. National efforts exist for establishing policies, protocols, evaluation, and education for students, administrators, and staff to prevent hazing at the college level, but this work has yet to be applied broadly in a high school context. In response to this gap, researchers implemented a pilot project at two high schools in Maine that consisted of hazing prevention training and assessment. This paper discusses the design, methods, and lessons learned through this collaborative, utilization-focused, and mixed-method training and evaluation with school personnel and high school student participants.
Unsettling tradition: exploring intersections of campus hazing and white supremacy
2024, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education
A public health approach to preventing hazing on a university campus
2024, Journal of American College Health
Studying hazing as an anthropologist: The impact of mandatory reporting
2023, American Anthropologist
Assessing Readiness for Campus Hazing Prevention
2023, Health Education and Behavior

View all citing articles on Scopus

^☆: Address reprint requests to Michelle A. Finkel, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Clinics 115, Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail: [email protected]

^☆☆: 0735-6757/02/2003-0017$35.00/0

View full text

ReviewsTraumatic injuries caused by hazing practices☆,☆☆

Abstract

Section snippets

Methods of data acquisition

History of hazing

Prevalence

Methods of hazing

Conclusion

Am J Kidney Dis

High School Hazing

Forensic aspects of fraternity hazing

Am J Forensic Med Pathol

Wrongs of Passage

Wrongs of Passage

National Survey: Initiation Rites and Athletics for NCAA Sports Teams. Alfred University, 1999

Wrongs of Passage

High School Hazing

Reviews
Traumatic injuries caused by hazing practices☆,☆☆