Secondary Exposure to Violence During Childhood and Adolescence: Does Neighborhood Context Matter?

• NCJ Number: 226466
• Journal: Justice Quarterly Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 30-57
• Author(s): Chris L. Gibson; Sara Z. Morris; Kevin M. Beaver
• Date Published: March 2009
• Length: 28 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN), this study assessed neighborhood and individual-level predictors of “secondary exposure” to violence, i.e., witnessing and/or hearing violent acts in contrast to being a direct victim of violence.

Abstract

The study found that children’s experience of secondary exposure to violence varied across geographical areas of Chicago and that it could not be fully explained by individual-level risk factors. It also found that several neighborhood variables had significant effects on secondary exposure to violence above and beyond individual risk factors. Specifically, youth who lived in poverty-stricken areas and those living in areas with higher concentrations of Latinos and foreign-born residents were more likely to witness and hear violence in their neighborhoods. In addition, the study found that informal social controls and protections for children in neighborhoods did not reduce exposure to secondary violence; for example, children who lived in neighborhoods where parents shared information, monitored children, etc., were no less likely to be exposed to secondary violence than children living in other types of neighborhoods. Apparently, some children and youth live in dangerous neighborhoods where violence may be beyond the control of community members or parents, so they still witness and hear violent acts. Finally, the study found that a lack of self-control in children and youth increased their risk of witnessing and hearing violence. This is consistent with research that has shown youth with low self-control are more at risk for peer associations and behaviors that increase their exposure to violence. The PHDCN is an interdisciplinary study designed to obtain data and knowledge on the contextual determinates of children’s psychological, social, and behavioral development. Contextual measures were validated over time for several cohorts of children at various developmental stages. 3 tables, 61 references, and 1 appendix