A Comprehensive Model of Community Violence Exposure Outcomes Using an Ecological Systems Framework

Community violence (CV) is associated with negative psychosocial outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and anger; however, many individuals also exhibit resilience. Considering the multifinality of outcomes following CV and guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems framework, the current study sought to examine individual, microsystem, and exosystem level factors in relation to PTSS, anger, and resilience. Participants were 536 emerging adults (M_age = 20.13; SD = 1.81, range = 18-25) recruited from two universities. Three hierarchical linear regression models were conducted, one for each dependent variable (i.e., PTSS, anger, resilience). Block 1 included the covariates of recruitment site and age. Block 2 added individual-level factors (i.e., gender, race, income, CV exposure, other trauma exposure, code of the streets [COS] beliefs, religiosity), Block 3 added microsystem-level factors (i.e., parental monitoring, social support), and Block 4 added exosystem-level factors (i.e., community cohesion, community disorder). Identifying as female, higher levels of CV and other trauma exposure, and lower levels of social support were associated with greater PTSS. Recruitment site, more cumulative trauma, stronger endorsement of COS beliefs, lower levels of social support, and higher levels of community disorder were associated with higher levels of problematic anger. Higher income, identifying as a racial minority, higher levels of CV, more religiosity, higher levels of social support, and greater community cohesion were associated with more resilience. These findings highlight the importance of examining ecological systems concurrently. Individual- and microsystem-level variables may be key targets and should be considered in intervention and prevention services for emerging adults exposed to violence.