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

Abstract

Community violence disproportionally impacts Black youths, threatening their health and well-being. Research indicates that social support and avoidance are commonly used strategies to cope with traumatic stress experienced in the context of community violence. However, gaps remain in the literature concerning interconnections between intrapersonal and interpersonal coping behaviors of Black youths following recent exposure to community violence. To address this gap, qualitative interviews were conducted to illuminate the role of both intrapersonal and interpersonal coping of Black youths following a violent event. A total of 25 Black youths (14–19 years; 58% female) who had witnessed community violence within the past 3 months were recruited from community-based youth-serving programs. Participants completed a baseline survey and a semi-structured individual interview focused on violence experiences and social networks. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. In the baseline survey, all participants reported hearing gunshots in the previous month, a reality that was also reflected in the qualitative interviews. Intrapersonal coping strategies included hypervigilance, avoidance, and the development of emotionally managed routines that allowed youths to carry on despite ongoing exposure to violence. Participants also discussed interpersonal coping strategies including receiving social support and safety socialization from their family (immediate and extended), peers, and the community. Notably, some youths described violence as part of their everyday landscape and explained how they adapted to it to maintain daily functioning, underscoring both the emotional toll and the resilience involved in coping with ongoing violence. This study provides insight into the experiences of community violence, trauma responses, and the intrapersonal and interpersonal methods of coping among Black youths who recently experienced a violent event. Understanding Black youths’ unique experiences allows us to build support that is culturally relevant and builds upon existing strengths to enhance well-being in the aftermath of violence.