The Relation of Severity and Type of Community Violence Exposure to Emotional Distress and Problem Behaviors Among Urban African American Adolescents

Abstract

Severity level and type of exposure to community violence were examined to determine their effect on emotional distress and problem behaviors among 234 low-income urban African American early adolescents. There were 4 violence exposure scales developed from a principal component analysis of the Richters and Martinez (1993) exposure to violence scale: moderate and severe witnessing and moderate and severe victimization. Regression analyses indicated that moderate victimization was the most consistent predictor of emotional distress and behavioral problems, whereas moderate witnessing did not relate to any of the dependent variables. Severe victimization predicted depression and delinquency, whereas severe witnessing predicted posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and delinquency. Witnessing and victimization scales based on severity of exposure better represented the experience than combining all data into a single exposure or simply witnessing and victimization scales.

Predictors of depressive symptoms among psychiatric nurses who suffered from workplace violence

“…There were several studies attempting to recognize factors related to depressive symptoms among victimized nurses and related results were well documented (da Silva et al., ; Yu et al., ). A previous study found that moderate and severe victimizations were predictors of emotional distress and depressive symptoms among adolescent victims of community violence (Goldner, Gross, Richards, & Ragsdale, ).…”

Exposure to violence and mental health of adolescents: South African Health and Well-being Study

“… 31 Victimisation has been related to a greater risk of emotional disorders than witnessing violence. 32 Severe victimisation has been related to depression and behavioural problems, and witnessing severe violence has been related to a greater risk of PTSD and delinquency. 33 Witnessing violence, in turn, has also been related to a greater risk of violence victimisation.…”

Mentoring Vulnerable Youth in One of America’s Most Dangerous Cities: From Violent Streets to University Classrooms

“…In addition to these macro-level risk factors, respondents discussed a myriad of traditional and non-traditional ACEs that placed them at risk of negative outcomes (see Felitti et al, 1998; Giovanelli et al, 2016; Wade et al, 2014). Experiencing risk in multiple facets of one’s life increases the risks for serious harm, injury, and developmental difficulties (Goldner et al, 2015; Slopen et al, 2012). Slightly over one-third (36%) of the sample noted four or more ACEs in their interviews, and all 44 respondents (mentees) discussed CVE.…”