NCJ Number
162911
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1996) Pages: 361-377
Date Published
1996
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Literature on the experiences of children and adolescents who have witnessed violence and thereby become covictims is reviewed.
Abstract
As violent incidents have increased dramatically in urban areas, so has exposure by inner-city youth to violence in the home, the school, and the community. Youth who have witnessed violence may have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety, and depression; display disturbed grieving and bereavement; display a number of externalizing behaviors such as aggressiveness; have impaired interpersonal and family relationships; and experience declines in academic performance. A number of factors may mediate the impact of exposure to violence; these factors include age, gender, and history of prior trauma. However, mental health assessment and treatment efforts for youth who have witnessed violence have been limited. Further development of measures to assess the frequency and intensity of violence exposure and its emotional and behavioral impacts, as well as controlled group interventions for covictimized youths, should be priority areas of research. 47 references (Author abstract modified)