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Lifetime Prevalence and Socioemotional Effects of Hearing About Community Violence

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, ascarpa{at}vt.edu

Jimmy D. Hurley

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Howard W. Shumate

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Sara Chiara Haden

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

This study extends findings on community violence (CV) exposure in young adults by examining the prevalence, characteristics, and socioemotional effects related to hearing about violence. Surveys of lifetime CV exposure and socioemotional outcomes were completed by 518 male and female undergraduates completed and were divided into groups with high, moderate, or low scores on hearing. Of respondents, 97.8% reported hearing about violence at least once, with a substantial proportion hearing about different types of acts. Reportedly, the most frequent perpetrators were nonfamily members, the most frequent location was near home, and most incidents occurred within the past year. The high-scoring group reported significantly greater levels of depressed mood, posttraumatic stress symptoms, aggressive behavior, and interpersonal problems associated with personality disorders. Results extend previous findings on the unfortunate prevalence of violence exposure and its negative psychological effects in today’s young adults and suggest that chronic exposure to hearing about violence can have deleterious repercussions.

Key Words: community violence • trauma • depression • posttraumatic stress • aggression • personality disorders

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 21, No. 1, 5-23 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0886260505281661


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