Abstract
Exposure to community violence is an epidemic problem that causes debilitating effects on youth mental health. However, the relationships between violence exposure and youth mental health remain unclear when examining co-occurring socioecological risk and protective factors. The purpose of this study is to clarify the observed gaps in knowledge by utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the mediating role of community violence exposure on the relationship between perceived neighborhood risk factors, parental behaviors, and peers on depressive symptoms in a sample of urban youth in low-income public housing communities (n = 320). Results indicate that community violence exposure and exposure to delinquent peers mediates the effects of perceived neighborhood risk and parenting behaviors on depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that while interventions that limit exposure to community violence and delinquent peers could reduce depressive symptoms, interventions that reduce community violence are essential to improve youth mental health.
•Examines socioecological context of community violence exposure for youth and young adults living in public housing.•Presents effects of parent, peer, and perceived neighborhood risks on community violence exposure and mental health.•Shows significant direct effects of exposure to delinquent peers and community violence on youth mental health.•Indicates positive parenting behaviors significantly reduce adverse exposures in youths' socioecological environment.•Discusses the need for interventions, policies, and programs aimed at reducing community violence.