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Weapons exposure generally harmful to children's mental health
Weapon involvement in the victimization of children and adolescents may have a significant effect on mental health, as recent study findings revealed a link between the amount of weapons exposure and the risk for trauma in victimized children.
“All types of victimization that involve a weapon should not be taken lightly, due to both their enhanced risk for physical injury and elevated trauma symptoms,” study researcher Kimberly J. Mitchell, PhD, of the Crimes Against Children Research Center and the University of New Hampshire, and colleagues wrote. “Even when a weapon is not used, their mere presence greatly increases the risk of injury and threat and may exacerbate trauma symptoms.”
The researchers analyzed data from the Second National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, focusing on a subsample of children aged 2 to 17 years. Information was gathered via telephone interviews conducted in 2011 with children and their caregivers (n = 4,114).
To determine the relationship between weapon victimization and its impact on mental health, researchers used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. Victimization types were classified into subsamples, including poly-victims (children exposed to more than seven types of victimization in the past year). These types then were classified by whether a weapon was involved, and if so, what type.
Results showed that more than one in four children and adolescents were exposed to weapon violence in their lifetime, either by witnessing the act or being directly victimized. Poly-victims were more likely to experience victimization with a weapon and more likely to be exposed to highly lethal weapons such as a gun or knife.
Weapons victimization was more common among boys than girls (23.9% vs. 18.4%), and researchers found that indirect weapons victimization occurred more frequently than direct victimization. Analysis of fear data, however, revealed that witnessing an attack often was more traumatizing.
The investigators said children who avoided gang activity and peers with weapons were less likely to be victimized. Results also showed that positive firearms experiences may moderate or acclimate children to the effects of weapons exposure.
“Weapons-based violence is one of the largest public health crises affecting children in the United States,” Mitchell and colleagues wrote. “Further work on improving gun safety practices and taking steps to reduce children’s exposure to weapon-involved violence is warranted to reduce this prevalent problem.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
