Youth exposure to violence: Prevalence, risks and consequences.

Abstract

Recent empirical work on the distribution, determinants, and consequences of children and adolescents' witnessing of community violence are reviewed. Major findings across studies indicate that males, ethnic minorities, and urban residents are at increased risk for witnessing violence, and that higher rates of PTSD, depression, distress, aggression, and externalizing behavior disturbances are reported among those who witness violence. Degree of family conflict, domestic violence, and family support were demonstrated to modify the impact of exposure to violence. Research and policy recommendations are offered.

Cites (54)

1. Peer relations and later personal adjustment: Are low-accepted children at risk?
   Jeffrey G. Parker, Steven R. Asher · 1987 · Psychological Bulletin
2. Traumatic Events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an Urban Population of Young Adults
   Breslau, Naomi · 1991 · Archives of General Psychiatry
3. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R)
   Robert L. Spitzer, Janet Williams · 1987
4. Life Threat and Posttraumatic Stress in School-age Children
   Pynoos, Robert S. · 1987 · Archives of General Psychiatry
5. Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and dependence: Data from a national sample.
   Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ron E. Acierno, Benjamin A. Saunders, Heidi S. Resnick, Connie L. Best, Paula P. Schnurr · 2000 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
6. The Nimh Community Violence Project: I. Children as Victims of and Witnesses to Violence
   Richters, John E., Martinez, Pedro · 1993 · Psychiatry
7. Children's witnessing of adult domestic violence
   EDLESON, JEFFREY L. · 1999 · Journal of Interpersonal Violence
8. The role of exposure to community violence and developmental problems among inner-city youth
   GORMAN–SMITH, DEBORAH, TOLAN, PATRICK · 1998 · Development and Psychopathology
9. Adolescents' Exposure to Violence and Associated Symptoms of Psychological Trauma
   Singer, Mark I. · 1995 · JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
10. The Prevalence and Consequences of Exposure to Violence among African-American Youth
    FITZPATRICK, KEVIN M., BOLDIZAR, JANET P. · 1993 · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Show all 54 references

Cited by (30)

1. Unsafe to Play? Neighborhood Disorder and Lack of Safety Predict Reduced Physical Activity among Urban Children and Adolescents
   Molnar, Beth E., Gortmaker, Steven L., Bull, Fiona C., Buka, Stephen L. · 2004 · American Journal of Health Promotion
2. Intersection of Child Abuse and Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence
   Herrenkohl, Todd I., Sousa, Cynthia, Tajima, Emiko A., Herrenkohl, Roy C., Moylan, Carrie A. · 2008 · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
3. Neighborhood Residence and Mental Health Problems of 5- to 11-Year-Olds
   Xue, Yange, Leventhal, Tama, Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, Earls, Felton J. · 2005 · Archives of General Psychiatry
4. Socioeconomic Status and Health: Mediating and Moderating Factors
   Chen, Edith, Miller, Gregory E. · 2013 · Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
5. Experienced, vicarious, and anticipated strain: An exploratory study on physical victimization and delinquency
   Agnew, Robert · 2002 · Justice Quarterly

See all 745