The relationship among violence victimization, witnessing violence, and youth distress.
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether violence victimization and witness experiences of predominantly African-American, low-income, urban adolescents were associated with distress and whether psychosocial factors contributed to symptomatology.


METHODS
Data for this study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 349 youth between the ages of 9 and 15 years who resided in any of 10 low-income public housing communities in an East Coast city. Survey instruments assessed exposure to violence, distress symptomatology, youth psychosocial functioning, and family dynamics. Data were analyzed by computing Pearson correlation coefficients and a series of multiple linear regression models.


RESULTS
Witnessing violence was related to youth reports of intrusive thoughts and feelings, difficulties with concentration, and vigilant or avoidant behavior. Violence victimization was correlated with feelings of despondency about having either a happy or long life, as well as feelings of being unloved, uncared for, and afraid. Younger youth, boys, and active problem solvers were more likely to report intrusive thoughts. Problematic family communication was related to intrusive thoughts, distraction, feeling a lack of belonging, and expressions of emotional numbing.


CONCLUSIONS
The act of witnessing violence may be associated with a set of distinct symptoms. Youth who witness violence also need to be identified so they may be aided in dealing with their distress. Family communication, particularly problematic family communication, and problem solving also contribute to symptomatology.
Howard
Donna E
DE
Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. dhoward192@umail.umd.edu
Feigelman
Susan
S
Li
Xiaoming
X
Cross
Sheila
S
Rachuba
Laura
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*