The Mental Health of Black Youth Affected by Community Violence: Family and School Context as Pathways to Resilience

Abstract

Black youth who experience community violence occupy multiple environments with varying levels of influence on how they display resiliency to prevent adverse mental health outcomes. Considering the recent rise of mental health concerns (i.e., increase in suicidal outcomes) among Black youth, along with the abundance of research illustrating the detrimental impact of community violence, more research is needed to examine how different environmental factors (e.g., family and school) shape how youth protect their mental health while displaying resiliency navigating community violence. The purpose of this study was to examine how family and school contexts predict Black youths’ ability to display resiliency to navigate community violence and prevent adverse mental health outcomes. This study utilized a path analysis to examine the associations between parent relationships, parent bonding, school climate, resilience to adverse community experiences, community violence, and mental health among 548 Black adolescents in Chicago. Findings highlight that parent relationships, parent bonding, and school climate influence the association between resilience to community violence and mental health outcomes among Black youth. Implications for mental health practice and policy among Black youth are discussed.

The Restorative Integral Support (RIS) Model: Community-Based Integration of Trauma-Informed Approaches to Advance Equity and Resilience for Boys and Men of Color

“…Building positive relationships can help BMoC feel safe and trust others, learn new ways to relate to people, and develop compassion [ 42 , 43 ]. A recent study found that strong familial relationships, parental bonding, and a positive school climate can help Black youths build resilience in the face of exposure to community violence [ 44 ]. Furthermore, leveraging relationships with leaders in the community, such as teachers, barbers, or persons of faith, can help destigmatize conversations about mental health [ 29 ].…”

Perceptions of mental health services among the children who are in conflict with the law in Jammu and Kashmir

“…Children are embedded in the community; underprivileged circumstances might encourage delinquent behaviour and affect children’s mental health (Garbarino et al, 1991; Boyd et al, 2022). In Kashmir, due to community-based violence and street protests (Ganie, 2023), another study has proved that contact with extremist groups, fear of raids and arrests foster more excellent deviant behaviours among minors (Dar et al, 2020).…”

Critical examination of resilience and resistance in African American families: Adaptive capacities to navigate toxic oppressive upstream waters

“…Adversity is multifarious and has been associated with conditions that affect everyday life experiences and developmental outcomes of children and their caregivers with widespread negative consequences. These conditions, often including poverty, socioeconomic disadvantage (Béné et al, 2014), community violence (Boyd et al, 2022), and social isolation, can take a toll on families, leading to family disruptions (Nurco et al, 1996), compromised parenting, and elevated risk for compromised health and overall development (Murry, 2019). Notably, those who are able to overcome and navigate adversity appear to be stronger and better prepared for future adversities, demonstrating resilience (Fraser et al, 1999; Patel et al, 2017; Walsh, 2003).…”