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The role of exposure to community violence and developmental problems among inner-cityyouth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1998

DEBORAH GORMAN–SMITH
Affiliation:
University of Illinois at Chicago
PATRICK TOLAN
Affiliation:
University of Illinois at Chicago

Abstract

While research has well documented that urban youth are exposed to increasing rates of community violence, little is known about what increases risk for violence exposure, what protects children from exposure to violence, and what factors reduce the most negative outcomes associated with witnessing violence. This study expands on current research by evaluating the relations between exposure to violence, family relationship characteristics and parenting practices, and aggression and depression symptoms. Data were drawn from a sample of 245 African-American and Latino boys and their caregivers from economically disadvantaged inner-city neighborhoods in Chicago. Rates of exposure could not be predicted from family relationship and parenting characteristics, although there was a trend for discipline to be related. Exposure to community violence was related to increases in aggressive behavior and depression over a 1-year period even after controlling for previous status. Future studies should continue to evaluate the role of exposure to violence on the development of youth among different neighborhoods and communities. Implications for intervention and policy are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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