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Urban African American Adolescents' Perceptions of Community Violence
Objective:
To investigate appraisal processes and coping strategies initiated
by urban adolescents relative to violence exposure. Methods:
Thirty-seven African American youth completed semistructured interviews,
including assessment of means-ends problem-solving competence (MEPS).
Results: Although perceptions of safety varied according to
weapon-carrying/fighting status, staying locked inside one's home
and maintaining a vigilance when dealing with others were identified
as primary protective strategies. MEPS scores were not predictive
of appraisal or coping processes. Youth were not expressive about
emotional distress aroused by exposure. Conclusion: Further
examination of how appraisal and coping efforts relate to prevention
of violence and its negative psychosocial sequelae is needed. |