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Community Violence Exposure in Young Adults

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ascarpa{at}vt.edu

The United States is one of the most violent countries in the world, and this is being reflected in rates of young adults' lifetime exposure ranging from 76% to 82% for victimization and 93% to 96% for witnessing. These high rates are found despite these studies being conducted on relatively low-risk samples from rural areas, and the majority of violent acts reported being less life threatening than those reported by high-risk urban adolescents. Nonetheless, young adults with high levels of exposure report more psychological maladjustment including depressed mood, aggressive behavior, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology, and interpersonal problems. The cycle from exposure to later perpetration of aggression is discussed in terms of psychophysiological processes that may emerge from chronic violence exposure or interact with victimization to increase risk. Last, theoretical, clinical, and policy implications are suggested that include intervention and prevention programs targeting all forms of violence in urban and rural areas.

Key Words: community violence • witnessing • victimization • trauma • aggression • depression • posttraumatic stress disorder • heart rate • cortisol • social support • coping • routine activities theory

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Vol. 4, No. 3, 210-227 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1524838003004003002


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