Community and Behavioral Health Approaches for Preventing Youth Violence and Improving Well-Being

Violence is a critical health issue that compromises the strength of communities and permanently damages the lives of young people (Lavizzo-Mourey, 2014). The impact on health and well-being is particularly devastating in disadvantaged and minority communities, leading to negative health outcomes, including premature death (Leventhal & Brooks-Gunn, 2003). In fact, youth violence results in 13 deaths and 1,600 nonfatal physical assault-related injuries daily (David-Ferdon & Simon, 2014).  Social workers must lead prevention efforts to reduce youth violence and improve youth health and wellbeing. This roundtable will present powerful prevention approaches informed by current theory and research on collective efficacy, youth decision-making and life skills development.

The first discussants will present research demonstrating the power of collective efficacy in preventing violence and negative health outcomes.  Collective efficacy, which happens when neighbors share norms and values, trust one another, and are willing to intervene to address problems, is tied to lower levels of community violence and related health problems, including decreased levels of depression and mental illness (Ahern & Galea, 2001; Araya et al., 2006; Sampson et al., 1997).  However, there is almost no research investigating actionable strategies to build collective efficacy in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The discussant will describe a theoretical/conceptual model illustrating how collective efficacy impacts youth violence and related health outcomes, and a research-based intervention social workers can use to facilitate collective efficacy and consequently curb youth violence and improve youth well-being. 

The second discussants will present research highlighting the importance of building community capacity to increase the use of evidence-based practice with an example community prevention strategy called Communities That Care (CTC). CTC is a coalition-based community planning strategy to prevent youth problem behaviors and promote healthy youth development. CTC engages community stakeholders (i.e., youth, advocates, residents, religious leaders, educators, law enforcement officers) to build community capacity for combining technical knowledge and local norms to adopt and implement science-based approach to prevention. The discussant will illustrate the process of bridging research and community practice and share research findings from a community-randomized controlled trial of CTC and its effect on reducing youth violence and delinquency.

The third discussant will present research from a community-based violence prevention project entitled reWIRED for Life (RFL). RFL is a life skills development program using the HBO series "The Wire" as a tool for personal transformation among young people ages 14-24, just out of or at risk of being in the juvenile system. By analyzing and discussing episodes of the series, participants learn the value of self-reflection and thinking critically about their life choices and family/community relationships. Youth are educated in the importance of using creative arts tools for healing and transformation as opposed to the predominantly destructive coping mechanisms developed as a result of growing up in marginalized, disenfranchised communities. Participants are challenged to see the value in their intellect and skill sets used in street culture, while understanding that those assets are transferable to a more legitimate lifestyle.  The discussant will present findings from youth and program facilitator perspectives relevant to program impact.