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Abstract
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AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT:
Community violence is a major problem in the United States (California Department of Justice, 1994; Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1994). Children and adolescents are exposed to high degrees of community violence on a daily basis (Bell & Jenkins, 1993; Gladstein, Slater Rusonis, & Heald, 1992; Fitzpatrick, 1993; Richters & Martinez, 1993a). As a consequence, children and adolescents have become more vulnerable to physical injuries, behavioral difficulties, and psychological problems. In spite of the risks faced by adolescents who are exposed to community violence, some seem less affected than others. A number of protective mechanisms have been shown to reduce various negative effects of stressful situations (e.g., Luthar, 1991; Neighbors, Forehand, & McVicar, 1993; Wyman et al., 1992). However, few studies have focused on community violence exposure as a stressor. Therefore, the present study examined the role of adolescents' future narratives as a protective mechanism against the damaging effects of community violence exposure. The sample consisted of 123 female and male early adolescents ( M = 12.23, SD = .67) from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Students were recruited from a middle school located in a Bay Area city with a high crime rate. Two hypotheses guided the present study. The first predicted that adolescents' future narratives would function as a protective factor in light of high community violence exposure. The second hypothesis, which was contingent on the first, postulated that adolescents' future narratives would be the most effective protective mechanism compared with three other protective factors (i.e., family characteristics, self-esteem, and locus of control). Since the first hypothesis was not supported, the second was not pursued. However, interesting findings emerged. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses revealed that future narratives functioned as compensatory rather than protective mechanism. Specifically, it was found that positive future narratives were associated with better psychosocial adjustment, independent from high community violence exposure. Secondary analyses of the effects of replacing missing data and order of entry confirmed the initial results. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Irit Carmeli Cohen; University Microfilms International)
Exposure to Violence
Community Violence Effects
Witnessing Community Violence
Witnessing Violence Effects
Juvenile Witness
Psychological Victimization Effects
Psychological Adjustment
Protective Factors
California
Junior High School Student
Early Adolescence
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