Coping Zone Construction and Mapping: An Exploratory Study of Contextual Coping, PTSD, and Childhood Violence Exposure in Urban Areas

• NCJ Number: 245673
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 9 Dated: June 2013 Pages: 1741-1764
• Author(s): Elizabeth M. Sloan-Power; Paul Boxer; Colleen McGuirl; Ruslana Church
• Date Published: June 2013
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This mixed-method study explored how urban children aged 11 to 14 cope with multicontextual violence exposures simultaneously and analyzed the immediate action steps these children took when faced with such violence over time.

Abstract

This mixed-method study explored how urban children aged 11 to 14 cope with multicontextual violence exposures simultaneously and analyzed the immediate action steps these children took when faced with such violence over time. Participants' N = 12 narratives were initially analyzed utilizing a grounded theory framework as 68 violent incidents were coded for perceived threat and coping levels. Coping strategies were examined from a Transactional Model of Stress and Coping perspective taking into account the context and severity of each violent exposure itself. A comprehensive assessment map was developed to plot and visually reveal participants N = 12 overall contextualized coping responses. Overall coping zone scores were generated to index perceived threat and coping responses associated with each violent incident described. These scores were then correlated with indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Results indicated that urban children with less optimal coping zone scores across context have a greater likelihood of PTSD than do children who do not. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.