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Definitional and measurement issues in the study of community violence among children and youths
Author(s) -
Guterman Neil B.,
Cameron Mark,
Staller Karen
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(200011)28:6<571::aid-jcop3>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - set (abstract data type) , criminology , psychology , community studies , sociology , social psychology , developmental psychology , social science , computer science , programming language
Scholarly attention to community violence exposure among children and youths has rapidly emerged over the past decade as recent data has revealed a problem of widespread proportions. While often profoundly consequential, the problem has not yet been well‐understood or clearly defined, both conceptually and operationally. This article examines definitional and measurement complexities in the emerging study of community violence exposure among the young. In particular, it examines what is denoted and connoted by the terms “community” and “violence” in studies of community violence exposure, as well as the difficulties existing studies present in seeking to capture a clear understanding of the problem. A set of recommendations for addressing definitional and operatonal difficulties is offered toward promoting a more systematic effort in studying the problem and its consequences. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.