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The role of relationship proximity to witnessed community violence and youth outcomes
Author(s) -
Elsaesser Caitlin,
Kennedy Traci M.,
Tredinnick Lorin
Publication year - 2020
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/jcop.22275
Subject(s) - juvenile delinquency , aggression , psychology , neglect , psychological intervention , anxiety , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry
Aims This study examines whether the relational proximity to the victim or perpetrator of witnessed community violence is associated with youth symptoms. Methods Data come from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect, a national high‐risk sample. The sample included 12‐year‐old youth ( N = 720) who had witnessed violence in their lifetimes. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions tested whether relationship proximity differentiated youth functioning (social competency, withdrawal, anxiety/depression, delinquency, and aggression), and whether gender moderated these effects. Results Witnessing violence toward a parent was associated with greater withdrawal, delinquency, and aggression symptoms. Witnessing violence perpetrated by a stranger was associated with lower social competency, higher anxiety/depression, and higher delinquency. Two perpetrator associations differed by gender. Conclusion Findings suggest important differences in outcomes based on relational proximity to victims and perpetrators. The particularly widespread associations between witnessing violence against a parent and youth functioning underscore the importance of targeting interventions toward youth with parent victims.