Publication Date: January 2009
What does it say?
This study uses meta-analytic techniques to assess the different types of psychological effects that exposure to community violence can cause. The study looks specifically at three different types of problems that arise from exposure to community violence, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), externalizing problems (acting out in violent manner), and internalizing issues (keeping emotions inside and desensitizing). It is determined through this study that community violence is associated with the occurrence of these three psychological effects in varying degrees.
Through the analysis of 114 mental health studies that deal with community violence and its effect on children, it was established that exposure to community violence had a strong effect on the development of PTSD within children. It was also determined that community violence had a moderate relationship with the growth of externalizing problems and behavioral control issues. However, there was only a small effect when it came to developing internalizing symptoms.
The different types of exposure to community violence also factored greatly into the psychological problems that children developed. The more serious and the closer a child was to an act of violence, the more likely they would suffer from more severe mental symptoms. This means that being victimized with a gun would cause the most severe symptoms, while hearing about a violent incident would cause the least.
In brief, a child becoming a victim of gun violence can develop PTSD. There is also evidence to support that exposure to gun violence can cause children to externalize the problem and begin to view the act of committing violence as a problem solving mechanism. There is also some evidence that shows that children will begin to desensitize and become emotionally detached as exposure to gun violence increases.
How can I use it?
Use this study to advocate for stricter regulations on carrying and possessing guns. Children are extremely susceptible to the psychological problems that can occur when they are exposed violence. Allowing firearms to be carried on the streets and ready to use can cause damage to a child’s mind.
Citation
Fowler, Patrick J., et al, “Community Violence: A Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes of Children and Adolescents,” Development and Psychopathology 21 (2009):227-259