Examining the Pathologic Adaptation Model of Community Violence Exposure in Male Adolescents of Color
ArticleThe current study examined a model of desensitization to community violence exposure, the Pathologic Adaptation Model, in adolescent males of color. Method: The current study included 285 African American (61%) and Latino (39%) male adolescents (W1 mean age = 12.41) from the Chicago Youth Development Study to examine the longitudinal associations between community violence exposure, depressive symptoms, and violent behavior. Results: Consistent with the Pathologic Adaptation Model, results indicated a linear, positive association between community violence exposure in middle adolescence and violent behavior in late adolescence, as well as a curvilinear association between community violence exposure in middle adolescence and depressive symptoms in late adolescence, suggesting emotional desensitization. Further, these effects were specific to cognitive-affective symptoms of depression and not somatic symptoms. Conclusion: Emotional desensitization outcomes, as assessed by depressive symptoms, can occur in male adolescents of color exposed to community violence and these effects extend from middle adolescence to late adolescence.
males of color, depressive symptoms, community violence exposure, desensitization, violent behaviors
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English
Gaylord-Harden, Noni, Suzanna So, Grace J. Bai, David B. Henry, and Patrick Tolan. "Examining the Pathologic Adaptation Model of Community Violence Exposure in Male Adolescents of Color." Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology v45 (2016): 1-11. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1204925.
Taylor & Francis
2016
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development.