Citation

Opara I, Lardier DTJ, Metzger I, Herrera A, Franklin L, Garcia-Reid P, Reid RJ. J. Child Fam. Stud. 2020; 29(8): 2117-2129.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10826-020-01764-8

PMID

34475729

Abstract

Repeated exposure to violent crime and drug use among youth of color can have negative health and behavioral outcomes. Using a community trauma theoretical framework, this qualitative study examines the lived experiences of Black and Latinx youth living in an under-resourced community with high levels of violent crime. Data were collected through eleven focus groups comprising of (N = 59) youth. Common themes arose including daily occurrences of witnessing gun violence, feelings of hopelessness, and lack of opportunities among youth. Implications highlight the importance of youth serving community-based organizations to nurture resilience and community healing within trauma-exposed neighborhoods.

Language: en

Keywords

Violence; Drug use; Youth; Community trauma