Exposure to Community Violence and Protective and Risky Contexts Among Low Income Urban African American Adolescents: A Prospective Study

• NCJ Number: 233326
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 174-186
• Author(s): Jonathan Goldner; Tracy L. Peters; Maryse H. Richards; Steven Pearce
• Date Published: February 2011
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined which locations and companionship serve as protective and risk factors for exposure to community violence among urban African-American young adolescents.

Abstract

This study examined protective and risky companionship and locations for exposure to community violence among African-American young adolescents living in high crime, urban areas. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM), an in vivo data collection method, was employed to gather information from 233 students (62 percent female) over 3 years, beginning in the 6th grade. Questionnaire variables of exposure to community violence were regressed onto ESM companionship and location variables, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, separately for boys and girls. At different points, time spent with parents, in school, and outside in private space was associated with less exposure to violence for boys and girls, while time spent with girls was protective for boys. In addition, time spent outside in public and with older peers was associated with increased risk for boys and girls. These findings are discussed in relation to previous and potential future research, and to strategies to prevent exposure to community violence. (Published Abstract) Tables and references