There is a lack of agreement on whether children and adolescents with different
cultural/ethnic backgrounds react to trauma in a similar fashion. This study adds to the
existing literature by providing ethnicity and gender perspectives on the longitudinal
associations between the degree of community violence exposure (CVE) and mental health
problems in U.S. inner-city youth. The study was conducted on a representative sample of
predominantly ethnic minority youth (N= 2,794; 54.1% female; age 11–16
years old (M[SD] = 12.77 [1.29]); 60.0%
African-American, 26.1% Hispanic American, 13.9% White). Self-reported information was
obtained on CVE in year 1 and on mental health problems (depressive symptoms,
posttraumatic stress, alcohol use, and conduct problems) in year 1 and year 2.
Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to compare mental health problems
in youth from the three ethnic groups in relation to the different degrees of CVE
experienced one year prior, while controlling for their baseline mental health problem
levels, age, and socio-economic status. Mental health problems in year 2 increased in a
similar fashion in relation to the degree of severity of CVE in year 1 in all three ethnic
groups. The interaction effects suggested a gender-specific response to CVE, where girls
in the three ethnic groups reported higher levels of depression and posttraumatic stress
in relation to the same degree of CVE, as compared to boys. Adolescents from different
ethnic backgrounds respond similarly to differing degrees of CVE with an increase in
mental health problems over time. In response to a similar degree of exposure, girls tend
to experience greater levels of internalizing problems than boys. Timely recognition of
traumatic exposure and associated mental health problems is important for early prevention
and intervention strategies.