NCJ Number
241422
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 11-12 Dated: November-December 2012 Pages: 790-797
Date Published
November 2012
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between youths' and parents' perceptions of youth-witnessed violence and the youths' need for counseling services.
Abstract
This study about the perceptions of youth-witnessed violence and the youths' need for counseling services found that 42 percent of youth reported youth-witnessed violence, compared to only 15 percent of parents. In addition, for those parents who reported youth-witnessed violence, 29 percent reported an identified need for counseling services while only 17 percent reported that the youth had received any mental health services. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the disagreement between youths' and parents' perceptions of youth-witnessed violence was associated with poorer outcomes and less utilization of mental health services. Data for the study were obtained from 766 youth/parent dyads from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Information on the youths' self-reported trauma symptoms, and caregivers/parents' indication on the youths' need for and receipt of mental health services was analyzed. The findings indicate that youth were more likely to report youth-witnessed violence, and in situations where both parent and youth reported youth-witnessed violence, parents were more likely to realize the need for counseling services, but youth were not necessarily more likely to receive the services. Study limitations are discussed. Tables and references