NCJ Number
205996
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 243-259
Date Published
July 2004
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examines the effects and treatment of community violence in children and adolescents.
Abstract
Exposure to community violence has emerged as a major risk factor in the development of emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents who are exposed to violence are at a significantly higher risk to develop some form of psychopathology than those who are not exposed to violence. In a sample of children under the age of six, it was reported that at least 50 percent of the mothers reported that their families had experienced forced entries, threats of physical harming, and muggings, and more than 60 percent of mothers reported witnessing drug deals, arrests, and people with guns in their neighborhoods. As reported by mothers, their children experienced distress symptoms such as hypervigilance, bad dreams, recurring memories or thoughts, and worries about their safety. School-aged children and adolescents also experienced behavioral problems, sleeping problems, and safety issues. Compared to their mothers, children were more than two times as likely to report that they had been chased by a gang and three times as likely to report they had been beaten up. To make improvements in the treatment of community violence the terminology regarding community violence must be defined more consistently and clearly. Interventions should be community-wide, occur in a variety of different settings and include a variety of adults who interact with children and adolescents. References