Children's Responses to Community Violence: The Roles of Avoidant and Confrontive Coping

Abstract

This study examines the predictive power of avoidant and confrontive coping, and of coping adaptability, on the psychological outcome of children responding to community violence. Participants (n = 102) were recruited from four elementary schools in New York City, NY. Moderator analyses confirmed the hypothesis that the relation between use of avoidance in violent situations and outcome is contingent upon its use in nonviolent situations. Use of avoidance in violence was inversely related to internalizing symptoms at low levels of its use in stress. Additionally, the relation between its use in violence and personal adjustment was stronger at low levels of its use in stress. Results support a transactional model of coping and are discussed with respect to treatment implications.

Keywords:

• psychological adjustment
• adolescence
• inner-city youth
• stress
• risk