Exposure to Community Violence and Childhood Delinquency

• NCJ Number: 215857
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 307-332
• Author(s): Justin W. Patchin; Beth M. Huebner; John D. McCluskey; Sean P. Varano; Timothy S. Bynum
• Date Published: April 2006
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the relationship between exposure to neighborhood violence and involvement in assaultive behavior and weapon carrying among a sample of high-risk youth.

Abstract

Results indicated that youth who witnessed more violence in their neighborhoods were more likely to report engaging in personal assault and were more likely to carry a weapon. The findings remained significant after controlling for the effects of neighborhood disadvantage and other factors commonly associated with delinquency, such as family structure and supervision, school attachment, and delinquent peers. The findings suggest that a more comprehensive notion of victimization is necessary that extends beyond the immediate victim to others in the community who witness the victimization of others. The findings also indicate the need to develop broader community intervention strategies that focus on building a sustained community capacity to intervene with those directly and indirectly affected by violence. Data were drawn from a larger research project on the effectiveness of police-centered intervention programs on reducing serious violent behavior in youths. Interviews were conducted with 187 youth between the ages of 9 and 15 years who lived in disproportionately disadvantaged neighborhoods. Participants were recruited from their schools and from two recreation centers in the target neighborhood. Youth who lived in the neighborhood and were arrested during a 3-year period were also included in the sample. Interviews focused on exposure to neighborhood violence and on participation in serious personal delinquency as well as demographic information and individual characteristics. Data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression models. Followup studies should supplement resident perceptions of neighborhood violence with actual measures of violence in the neighborhood such as official crime records. Tables, appendixes, notes, references