Coping with youth violence: assessments by minority parents in public housing.
OBJECTIVE
To present the views of predominantly African American public housing residents as they discuss violence prevention.


METHODS
Qualitative research was conducted with 38 parents of adolescents. Data were analyzed inductively and in relation to an appraisal-coping theoretical framework.


RESULTS
Parents enumerated cues that signaled neighborhood danger and signs and symptoms that suggested youth distress. Narratives reflect both ad hoc and systematic coping responses to incidences of violence that involve their children.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents used a variety of coping strategies and diverse resources such as personal skills, family strengths, and community agencies in an attempt to decrease youth exposure and involvement in violence.
Howard
Donna E
DE
University of Maryland, Department of Public and Community Health, College Park, MD 20742, USA. dh192@umail.umd.edu
Kaljee
Linda
L
Rachuba
Laura T
LT
Cross
Sheila I
SI
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D015142:Baltimore; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011638:Public Housing; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001741:Black or African American