Bridging the Response to Mass Shootings and Urban Violence: Exposure to Violence in New Haven, Connecticut

Background.Girls at early stages of adolescence are vulnerable to violence victimization in humanitarian contexts, but few studies examine factors that affect girls’ hope in these settings. We assessed attitudes toward traditional gender norms as an effect modifier of the relationship between violence exposure and future orientation in displaced girls.Methods.Secondary analysis, using multivariable regression of cross-sectional data from girls ages 10–14 in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Key variables of interest were attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV), Children's Hope Scale (CHS) score, and exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual violence within the last 12 months. Additional covariates included age, educational status, and territory.Results.The interaction of exposure to violence and attitudes toward IPV magnified the association between violence exposure and lower CHS score for physical violence (β = −0.09, p = 0.040) and unwanted sexual touching (β = −0.20, p = 0.003) among girls age 10–14, when adjusting for other covariates. The interaction of exposure to violence and attitudes toward IPV magnified the association between violence exposure and lower CHS score for forced sex (β = −0.22, p = 0.016) among girls age 13–14, when adjusting for covariates. Findings for emotional violence, any form of sexual violence, and coerced sex trended toward lower CHS scores for girls who reported higher acceptance of IPV, but did not reach significance.Conclusions.Findings support the utility of gender norms-transformative programming in increasing resilience of girls who have experienced sexual violence in humanitarian contexts.

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Community Violence Exposure and School Functioning in Youth: Cross-Country and Gender Perspectives

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.692402 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Roman Koposov ◽

Johan Isaksson ◽

Robert Vermeiren ◽

Mary Schwab-Stone ◽

Andrew Stickley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Violence ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Academic Motivation ◽

School Functioning ◽

Community Violence Exposure ◽

New Haven ◽

The Us ◽

Cross Country ◽

And Gender ◽

Violent Events

Background: Many children and adolescents experience violent events which can be associated with negative consequences for their development, mental health, school, and social functioning. However, findings between settings and on the role of gender have been inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate cross-country and gender differences in the relationship between community violence exposure (CVE) and school functioning in a sample of youths from three countries.Methods: A self-report survey was conducted among school students (12–17 years old) in Belgium (Antwerp, N = 4,743), Russia (Arkhangelsk, N = 2,823), and the US (New Haven, N = 4,101). Students were recruited from within classes that were randomly selected from within schools that had themselves been randomly selected (excepting New Haven, where all students were included). CVE was assessed with the Screening Survey of Exposure to Community Violence. School functioning was assessed with four measures: the Perceived Teacher Support scale, Negative Classroom Environment scale, and Academic Motivation and Perception of Safety at School scales. Multivariate Analyses of Covariance were performed to assess differences in the levels of school-related problem behaviors in boys and girls, who reported different degrees of CVE.Results: Participants in all three countries reported a relatively high prevalence of violence exposure (36.2% in Belgium, 39.3% in Russia and 45.2% in the US who witnessed violence), with a higher proportion of girls than boys witnessing violent events (varied from 37.4 to 51.6% between the countries), whereas boys reported more episodes of victimization by violence than girls (varied from 32.3 to 49.9% between the countries). Youths who experienced increased CVE (from no exposure to witnessing to victimization) reported an increase in all school functioning problems in all of the countries and this association was not gender-specific.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that regardless of differences in the level of CVE by country and gender, violence exposure is negatively associated with school functioning across countries. Nonetheless, even though reactions to community violence among adolescents may be expressed in a similar fashion, cross-country differences in social support systems should also be taken into account in order to provide culturally sensitive treatment modalities.

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Media violence exposure in aggressive and control adolescents: differences in self- and parent-reported exposure to violence on television and in video games

Aggressive Behavior ◽

10.1002/ab.20021 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 201-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

William G. Kronenberger ◽

Vincent P. Mathews ◽

David W. Dunn ◽

Yang Wang ◽

Elisabeth A. Wood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Video Games ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Media Violence ◽

And Control

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Family conflict mediates the relationship between past violence and wellbeing among female refugees

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.067 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

L Okenwa Emegwa ◽

F Saboonchi

Keyword(s):

Indirect Effect ◽

Family Conflict ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Total Effect ◽

Family Conflicts ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Syrian Refugee ◽

Past Exposure

Abstract Background Past exposure to violence has been suggested to have a lasting effect on subjective well being (SWB). Similarly, family conflict is another known predictor of SWB. Research shows that refugee women exposed to gender based violence (GBV) before resettlement may also face post-resettlement family conflicts due to socio-cultural factors, changes in social network and migration-based shifting gender roles. This study examines the role of family conflict as a likely mediator between past exposure to violence and SWB among Syrian refugee women in Sweden. Methods A total of 452 women out of a random sample of 1215 Syrian refugee women in Sweden responded to a questionnaire survey in Arabic. Variables include Past violence i.e. exposure to any of torture, physical or sexual violence preflight or during flight before arriving Sweden; Post-resettlement distressing family conflicts i.e. feeling disrespected or unimportant in the family or distressing conflicts; SWB was measured by WHO-5 wellbeing index. Maximum likelihood estimation with Robust standard errors and bias corrected bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals for all estimates. Results Total effect of past violence on SWB was significant (Estimate = -6.63; CI= -12.73 - -0.46). Similarly, family conflicts were associated with decreased SWB (Estimate = -3.80; CI= -5.17 - -2.40), and past violence exposure increased family conflicts (Estimate = 0.57; 0.13 - 1.08). The total effect of violence exposure on decreased SWB was decomposed into a direct and an indirect effect (mediated via family conflicts). The indirect effect via family conflicts was significant (M= -2.19; C1= -4.30 - 0.59), while decomposing rendered the direct effect non-significant (Estimate= -4.44, CI= -10.51 - 1.52). Conclusions Post-resettlement distressing family conflicts mediate the effect of prior exposure to violence on reduced SWB among refugee women. Key messages Past violence exposure reduces refugee women’s SWB via aggravated family conflicts implying the need for family targeted interventions to improve SWB of female refugees previously exposed to violence. Strategies to improve subjective wellbeing among female refugees should include screening for and addressing all forms of previous and ongoing GBV.

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Violence Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress, and Subjective Well-Being in a Sample of Russian Adults: A Facebook-Based Study

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260517698279 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (5-6) ◽

pp. 1476-1491 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Olga Bogolyubova ◽

Roman Tikhonov ◽

Victor Ivanov ◽

Polina Panicheva ◽

Yanina Ledovaya

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Physical Assault ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Stress Symptoms

Exposure to violence has been shown to negatively affect mental health and well-being. The goal of this Facebook-based study was to describe the rates of exposure to violence in a sample of Russian adults and to assess the impact of these experiences on subjective well-being and victimization-related psychological distress. Three types of victimization were assessed: physical assault by a stranger, physical assault by someone known to victim, and nonconsensual sexual experiences. The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess subjective well-being, and Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD) was employed as an indicator of victimization-related psychological distress. Data were obtained from 6,724 Russian-speaking Facebook users. Significant levels of lifetime victimization were reported by the study participants. Lifetime physical assault by a stranger, physical assault by someone known to victim, and sexual assault were reported by 56.9%, 64.2%, and 54.1% of respondents, respectively. Respondents exposed to violence were more likely to report posttraumatic stress symptoms and lower levels of subjective well-being. Participants who were exposed to at least one type of violence were more likely to experience symptoms of traumatic stress ( U = 1,794,250.50, p < .001, d = 0.35). Exposure to multiple forms of violence was associated with more severe traumatic stress symptoms ( rs = .257, p < .001). Well-being scores were significantly lower among participants exposed to violence ( t = 8.37, p < .001, d = 0.31). The study demonstrated that violence exposure is associated with reduced well-being among Russian adults. Our findings highlight the negative impact of violence exposure on subjective well-being and underscore the necessity to develop programs addressing violence exposure in Russian populations.

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Community Violence and Prosociality: Experiencing and Committing Violence Predicts Norm-Enforcing Punishment but Not Cooperation

Social Psychological and Personality Science ◽

10.1177/1948550619849431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 276-283

Author(s):

Rebecca Littman ◽

Suzanne Estrada ◽

Michael Nick Stagnaro ◽

Yarrow Dunham ◽

David Rand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Violence ◽

Violent Crime ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Community Context ◽

Intergroup Conflict ◽

New Haven ◽

Economic Games ◽

Violent Behaviors ◽

The Relationship

How does violence affect prosociality? Previous work shows that exposure to intergroup violence is positively related prosociality. Here, we test whether this finding extends to other types of community violence. In a sample of 100 residents from New Haven, CT, we examine the relationship between exposure to—and committing of—violence and economic games measuring prosociality (paying a cost to benefit others) as well as norm-enforcing punishment (paying a cost to impose a cost on selfish actors). We find that both exposure to violence and committing a violent crime are not associated with cooperation but are positively associated with norm-enforcing punishment. These results suggest that unlike during intergroup conflict, violence is unrelated to cooperation when it occurs in a community context. Rather, norm-enforcing punishment is more commonly employed by individuals who have been exposed to community violence and engaged in violent behaviors themselves.

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“Every Thought and Dream a Nightmare”: Violence and Trauma Among Formerly Imprisoned Gang Members

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/00938548211040099 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009385482110400

Author(s):

Shytierra Gaston ◽

Faraneh Shamserad ◽

Beth M. Huebner

Keyword(s):

Chronic Exposure ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Gang Members ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Direct Involvement ◽

Cumulative Violence ◽

Consequences Of Violence ◽

The Continuum

Persons involved in gangs disproportionately participate in violence, as both victims and perpetrators. However, much remains unknown about the prevalence and consequences of violence exposure among adult gang members, particularly among those who have been incarcerated. We draw on semi-structured interviews with formerly imprisoned gang members to provide a contextualized account of the continuum of violence before, during, and after prison and illuminate the consequences of cumulative violence exposure among an understudied subgroup at greatest risk for violence. Findings show that adult gang members experience frequent and ongoing exposure to serious violence, as both victims and perpetrators, before, during, and after prison, and directly and vicariously. Although direct involvement in violence dissipated after prison, exposure to vicarious victimization was substantial and ongoing. In addition, respondents reported physiological and psychological consequences related to their chronic exposure to violence and trauma, including nightmares, anxiety, fear, anger, and hypervigilance.

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Direct and Indirect Violence Exposure: Relations to Depression for Economically Disadvantaged Ethnic Minority Mid-Adolescents

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00042 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 120-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kathan Dushyant Shukla ◽

Margit Wiesner

Keyword(s):

Economically Disadvantaged ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Witnessing Violence ◽

Using Data ◽

Cumulative Violence

Exposure to violence remains a considerable public health problem for adolescents in the United States. This cross-sectional study examined relative associations between exposure to violence in 3 different contexts (home, school, community) and depressive symptoms, using data from 233 11th-graders (predominantly economically disadvantaged Hispanic and African American students). Analyses examined the effects of victimization and witnessing violence in each context and those of cumulative violence exposure across contexts on depression, controlling for other risk factors. Both victimization and witnessing violence at home significantly predicted depression. Violence exposure in school and neighborhood was unrelated to the outcome. Witnessing violence was slightly more effective in predicting depression than victimization. Cumulative violence exposure was significantly related to depression in a linear fashion.

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Violence Exposure and Mental Health Among Resettled Refugees: A Systematic Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838020915584 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 152483802091558 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Arielle A. J. Scoglio ◽

Carmel Salhi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

High Exposure ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Comparison Groups ◽

The Impact

Refugee populations are often characterized by their high exposure to violence, which are tied to various challenges upon resettlement. This systematic review synthesizes the empirical literature related to violence exposure for refugees resettled in high-income countries and the impact of that exposure on mental health symptoms. The authors reviewed quantitative studies published from 2000 to 2018 and found 12 studies met criteria for inclusion. Studies were excluded if the study did not include a measured mental health outcome, if violence exposure was not measured and reported on distinctly from nonviolent exposures, if the sample did not include a refugee population, or if the relationship between violence exposure and mental health of refugees was not empirically examined. Overall, studies found that resettled refugee populations were more likely to have higher rates of violence exposure than comparison groups. This violence exposure was significantly related to higher mental health symptoms, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and, most commonly reported, posttraumatic stress disorder. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in measurement of violence exposure, particularly in the use of author-created scales. The vast majority of included studies examined only exposure to violence prior to resettlement. The review shows significant evidence for the effect of violence prior to resettlement on mental health after resettlement and reveals a need for improved measurement and definitions of violence exposure at different time points for resettled refugee populations. Assessing current exposure to violence is an important step for effective intervention related to mental health dilemmas for refugee populations.

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Violence exposure and substance use among southern Brazilian schoolchildren

Psychology Society & Education ◽

10.25115/psye.v7i2.528 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 119

Author(s):

Cristina Lessa ◽

Carolina S. De Maced ◽

Vanessa A. Teixeira ◽

Guilherme Welter ◽

Rogério Lessa

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

School Violence ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Violence Exposure ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

School Context ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Exposure To Violence ◽

Self Report ◽

Consumo De Sustancias

Abstract: Cross-sectional study with probabilistic sample of 3,547 adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years old, 54.2% girls, from southern Brazilian schools that analysed the association between exposure to violence and substance use. Gender and age distribution in general population were controlled and sample proportions were assured. A self report measure was used to evaluate sociodemographic conditions, violence, substance use, psychiatric disorders, school performance, parental practices and relationship with parents and teachers. Descriptive analysis were hold, prevalence ratio for substance use were estimated by Poisson Regression, preceded by control for design effect by school variable. The analysis were adjusted by gender, alcohol and tobacco use by the parents and psychiatric disorders. Association between violence exposure and use in the year of all drugs investigated was found: tobacco [PR=2.49 (CI95%: 1.92-3.25) p<.001], alcohol [PR=1.46 (CI95%: 1.35-1.59) p<.001] and illicit drugs [PR=1.60 (CI95%: 1.27-2.01) p<.001]. When adjusting also for the use of other substances (for example: cocaine, crack), the association remained only for tobacco and alcohol. Prevalence substance use found are similar to national levels and there are evidences of significant and strong association of substance use and exposure to violence at school, mainly for alcohol and tobacco. It is recommended that public policies to improve school climate and school context should focus on school staff skills and competencies to prevent school violence and licit or illicit substance use by Brazilian adolescents.Exposición a la violencia y el consumo de sustancias entre estudiantes en el sur de BrasilResumen: Este estudio transversal con muestra probabilística de 3.547 adolescentes, 54.2% niñas, media de edad 14 años (SD=1.66), realizado en escuelas brasileñas del sur de Brasil, analizó la asociación entre la exposición a la violencia y el consumo de sustancias. El género y la edad fueron controlados y la proporción de la muestra fue asegurada. Una medida de autoinforme ha evaluado datos sociodemográficos, la violencia, el consumo de sustancias, trastornos psiquiátricos, rendimiento escolar, prácticas parentales y la relación de los jóvenes con padres y profesores. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y la razón de prevalencia para el consumo de sustancias fue estimada por regresión de Poisson, precedida por el control para efecto de la variable escuela. El análisis fue ajustada por sexo y el consumo de alcohol y tabaco por los padres, así como por los trastornos psiquiátricos. Asociaciones entre la exposición a la violencia y el uso en el año de todos las sustancias investigadas fueron encontradas: tabaco [PR=2.49 (IC 95%: 1.92 - 3.25) p<.001], alcohol [PR=1.46 (IC95%: 1.35-1.59) p<.001] y drogas ilícitas [PR=1.60 (IC95%: 1.27 - 2.1) p<.001]. Al ajustar para el uso de cualquier sustancia de otros grupos, la asociación sólo quedó para el consumo de tabaco y de alcohol. La prevalencia del consumo de sustancias encontrada fue similar a los niveles nacionales. Se recomienda que las políticas públicas para mejorar el clima de las escuelas brasileñas se centren en las competencias del equipo escolar para prevenir la violencia y el consumo de sustancias por adolescentes

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