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Using the Socio-Ecological Model to Understand Increased Risk of Gun Violence in the African American Community
Tameka L Gillum1, Clarice J Hampton2, Chanté Coppedge3
1College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Psychological Reports
|May 28, 2024
Summary
Gun violence, a major public health crisis, disproportionately affects the African American community. A socio-ecological framework reveals societal factors contributing to this disparity, calling for culturally informed prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Gun violence is a critical public health issue in the U.S., with record deaths in 2021.
- The African American community faces a disproportionately high risk of gun violence, particularly homicides.
- The socio-ecological framework offers a multi-level approach to understanding violence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the elevated risk of gun violence in the African American community using the socio-ecological framework.
- To propose prevention strategies informed by a multi-level understanding of gun violence.
- To highlight the role of societal factors in perpetuating gun violence disparities.
Main Methods:
- Application of the socio-ecological framework (individual, relationship, community, societal levels).
- Analysis of gun violence data and risk factors within the African American community.
- Literature review on violence prevention and public health frameworks.
Main Results:
- The socio-ecological model effectively explains the complex interplay of factors contributing to gun violence.
- Societal-level factors significantly influence violence risk, particularly for marginalized communities.
- Individual, relationship, and community factors also play a role, interacting with broader societal influences.
Conclusions:
- A multi-level approach is essential for understanding and addressing gun violence.
- Culturally informed policies and programs are needed to reduce gun violence disparities.
- Urgent action is required from policymakers, researchers, and agencies to implement targeted prevention efforts.
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