Effects of Gang Violence on Youth

Effects of Gang Violence On Youth

• 2 types of violence:
o Predatory violence (usually a stranger trying to take something of value using physical threats or direct violence)
o Violence arising from nonfamily interpersonal conflicts (this usually concerns acquaintances involved in an altercation)
o Both types of violence may include brutal acts such as shootings, rapes, stabbings, and beatings.
• Many children and adolescents are exposed to violence in their own neighborhoods and schools.
• Community violence is now recognized as a public health issue, especially among the young.
• Focus on youthful victims and the consequences of their trauma exposure, including the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

How much violence are youth experiencing?

• Those of lower socioeconomic status, those who are nonwhite, and those living in densely populated urban areas do appear to bear a disproportionately high burden of violence.
• Children from all walks of life and all ages are at risk for exposure to community violence.
o In a national survey of girls and boys 10 to 16 years old, over one-third reported being the direct victim of different forms of violence including aggravated assault, attempted kidnapping, and sexual assault.
o Researchers have found that an even higher number of urban children have been exposed to indirect community violence (e.g., they have witnessed violence or know a victim).
o One study comparing urban elementary school children living in low-violence neighborhoods to those living in high-violence neighborhoods found that over 75 percent of those in high-violence neighborhoods had been exposed to community violence.
Are some youths at greater risk for exposure to community violence?
• Factors that increase exposure to violence
o Living in poor, inner-city areas and being a minority appears to increase the risk for community violence exposure.
o Gang affiliation appears to be a key risk factor, as is involvement in substance abuse and exposure to domestic violence.
o Gender is another risk factor; males witness more community violence and are at higher risk for physical assault and other direct forms of community violence, whereas females are at higher risk for community-violence related sexual assault.


What are the effects of community violence?

• If injured, a child or adolescent may have to cope with surgeries, disabilities, convalescence, and rehabilitation.
• In addition to the physical aftermath of traumatic injury, the psychological consequences can be serious.
o PTSD commonly develops after a child has been exposed to community violence. Some people think that young children are not psychologically affected by exposure to community violence because they are too young to understand or remember the violence. However, studies have found posttraumatic symptoms and disorders among infants and toddlers.
o Symptoms expressed by children tend to look different from those expressed by adults. Children with PTSD display disorganized or agitated behavior and have nightmares that may include monsters. They may become withdrawn, fearful, or aggressive, and they may have difficulty paying attention. They may regress to earlier behaviors such as sucking their thumbs and bed-wetting, and they may develop separation anxiety. They may also engage in play that compulsively reenacts the violence.
o Other trauma-related reactions can include impaired self-esteem and body image, learning difficulties, and acting out or risk taking behaviors such as running away, drug or alcohol use, suicide attempts, and inappropriate sexual activities.