Understanding Traumatic Stress and Coping Behaviors Among Black Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Community Violence

Introduction

Community violence disproportionally impacts Black youth threatening their health and well-being. While we know social support and meaning-making are strategies used to cope with traumatic stress, much less is known about how these strategies are employed by Black youths following exposure to community violence. To address this gap, we engaged Black youth exposed to community violence in a mixed methods study to understand the presence and expression of traumatic stress symptoms and the role of social support and meaning-making in coping following the violent event.

Methods

Twenty Black youth (14-19 years; 58% female) who had witnessed community violence within the past three months were recruited from community-based-youth-serving programs. Participants completed a baseline and a one-on-one interview via Zoom using a structured interview guide assessing violence experiences, social networks, as well youths’ perceptions of the data collection process. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Codes were developed both inductively using the existing theory of stress and coping and deductively when they arose during analysis. The study team met weekly to discuss and define emerging themes. Once a codebook was finalized five transcripts were coded to ensure relevant themes were identified. The codebook was then used by two coders, and any discrepancies in the application of codes were discussed.

Results

In the baseline survey, all participants reported hearing gunshots (100%; N=20) in the previous month, a reality that was also reflected in the qualitative interviews. When discussing community violence, the primary traumatic response reported was hypervigilance. For example, a participant stated “So the first time I heard one [a gunshot], my anxiety hit me; I was like, what is that? What is it, that’s an actual gun? I’m scared I don’t know what to do.” And another participant reported “I typically don’t feel safe outside in general. It don’t matter where it is...I’m always aware of my surroundings.” Participants reported receiving emotional, instrumental, and informational support from their family and described their extended family as a major source of support. One participant discussed how his stepfather taught him how to remain safe, “He’s always been there like, every time, you know. That’s where I learn from. When you hear gunshots, turn off the lights, close the curtains and you know, stay low.” Another reoccurring theme included meaning-making, where participants gave a constructive narrative around their trauma to cope. For example, when discussing violence in his neighborhood one participant reported “...the same things been going on for years. So it’s like, not something you could really do or really change...[I] gotta just listen to what people around me say that’s trying to keep me safe.”

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the way that Black youth experience community violence, their trauma responses, and the methods of coping that they are using in response. Understanding Black youths’ unique experiences allows us to build supports that is not only culturally relevant but build upon existing strengths enhancing the likelihood that they will effectively prevent mental health challenges and enhance well-being.