The role of relationship proximity to witnessed community violence and youth outcomes

AIMS: This study examines whether the relational proximity to the victim or perpetrator of witnessed community violence is associated with youth symptoms. METHODS: Data come from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect, a national high-risk sample. The sample included 12-year-old youth (N = 720) who had witnessed violence in their lifetimes. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions tested whether relationship proximity differentiated youth functioning (social competency, withdrawal, anxiety/depression, delinquency, and aggression), and whether gender moderated these effects. RESULTS: Witnessing violence toward a parent was associated with greater withdrawal, delinquency, and aggression symptoms. Witnessing violence perpetrated by a stranger was associated with lower social competency, higher anxiety/depression, and higher delinquency. Two perpetrator associations differed by gender. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest important differences in outcomes based on relational proximity to victims and perpetrators. The particularly widespread associations between witnessing violence against a parent and youth functioning underscore the importance of targeting interventions toward youth with parent victims.