<p>Violence is considered to be one of the most critical and threatening global problems plaguing the world today, leaving a trail of devastating consequences to societies, economies, cultures, families and individuals (Desjarlais &amp / Kleinman, 1997). Adolescents who grow up in a context of violence learn distorted ways of thinking, acting, living and interacting. Aggressive tendencies and violent behaviour become internalised and adopted as acceptable ways to resolve conflict situations. Chronic, continuous exposure to violence results in physical, psychological and emotional disturbances, such as depression, anxiety, lowered self-confidence, sleep disturbances, decreased attention and concentration spans. This study addressed the form of violence known as community violence, i.e. violence that children experience within their communities (either as witnesses or as victims). This study investigated the effects of this negative environmental experience and investigated potential mediating and moderating variables that could influence the harmful effects of such experiences. The variables considered as mediating and/or moderating variables were social support and self-esteem. The theoretical framework adopted for this study was Bronfennbrenner&rsquo / s Bioecological Systems theory.</p>

Bakgrund När offer för samhällsvåld söker vård på akutmottagningen tenderar deras psykiska besvär att inte uppmärksammas. Dessutom uppger sjuksköterskor att de känner sig dåligt förberedda och outbildade om samhällsvåld. Syfte Att belysa upplevelser och dessa psykiska konsekvenser hos personer som utsatts för samhällsvåld. Metod Systematisk litteraturöversikt över aktuellt kunskapsläge genomfördes med nio vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultat Negativa upplevda känslor och konsekvenser för patientens fortsatta liv var frekvent förekommande bland offer för samhällsvåld. Slutsats Patienter som utsatts för samhällsvåld behöver vårdmöten där deras psykiska skador tas omhand. Klinisk betydelse Sjuksköterskor på akuten skulle behöva djupare utbildning om dessa patienter för att kunna bemöta dem ur ett holistiskt perspektiv. / Background The psychological discomfort among the care seeking persons exposed to non-domestic violence tend to remain undetected by caregivers at the emergency care unit. Moreover, nurses state that they feel unprepared to deal with subjects related to non-domestic violence. Objective To illuminate the experiences and their psychological consequences on persons who are victims of non-domestic violence. Method A systematic overview of existing literature on the subject was conducted. Nine articles published in academic journals were selected. Results Negative perceived feelings and consequences for the patients’ ongoing life were common among victims of non-domestic violence. Conclusion Patients who are victims of non-domestic violence need to receive care for their psychological harm. Clinical impact Nurses at the emergency care unit would need to receive deeper knowledge during the course of their education in order to be able to care for these patients from a holistic perspective.

Violence is considered to be one of the most critical and threatening global problems plaguing the world today, leaving a trail of devastating consequences to societies, economies, cultures, families and individuals (Desjarlais & Kleinman, 1997). Adolescents who grow up in a context of violence learn distorted ways of thinking, acting, living and interacting. Aggressive tendencies and violent behaviour become internalised and adopted as acceptable ways to resolve conflict situations. Chronic, continuous exposure to violence results in physical, psychological and emotional disturbances, such as depression, anxiety, lowered self-confidence, sleep disturbances, decreased attention and concentration spans. This study addressed the form of violence known as community violence, i.e. violence that children experience within their communities (either as witnesses or as victims). This study investigated the effects of this negative environmental experience and investigated potential mediating and moderating variables that could influence the harmful effects of such experiences. The variables considered as mediating and/or moderating variables were social support and self-esteem. The theoretical framework adopted for this study was Bronfennbrenner’s Bioecological Systems theory. This framework provides a theory through which the interaction of the variables of this study can be explained and understood. This study is part of a larger study which explored community violence, hope and well-being, therefore secondary data was utilised. The sample consisted of 568 Grade nine learners and data was collected through the administration of a questionnaire compiled through the combination of five scales: the Children’s Hope Scale, the Recent Exposure to Violence Scale (REVS), the KIDSCREEN-52, social support scale and Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale. The data was analysed through regression and multiple regression. The results of the study found that neither social support nor self-esteem were mediators and only social support functioned as a moderator variable. / Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych)

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Given that numerous research studies have established the important role that attachment plays in the development of internalizing disorders in children, it is important to ensure that the clinical psychologists working within this population and within this category of disorders are aware of this link. This will help ensure that they intervene adequately and appropriately. Although there is some emerging research on psychologists' perceptions and practices regarding the assessment of internalizing disorders, there is very little available information to date specifically addressing clinical psychologists' perceptions and understandings regarding the influence of attachment on the development of internalizing disorders in children. This study aimed to explore how clinical psychologists operationalize internalizing disorders in children and how they understand the link between infant-caregiver attachment and internalizing disorders in children. Parents/caregivers from low income, high violence communities are a vulnerable group in South Africa, and as a result, it is becoming increasingly important to explore how clinicians understand the development of children growing up in conditions where the nature of parenting is taking place under conditions of pervasive adversity. As such, this study explored the perceptions of clinical psychologists working in low income, high violence communities within Cape Town. This research was conducted using a qualitative research approach that makes use of in-depth individual interviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and then transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. A sample size of eight participants was recruited using a purposive, snowball sampling technique. All ethical considerations were adhered to and appropriate ethical clearance was obtained from all relevant ethical committees. Object relations theory provided the theoretical framework through which data was interpreted. A specific focus on attachment theory was incorporated. Findings suggest that although clinicians acknowledge and accept the important influencing factor of infant-caregiver attachment on the development of internalizing disorders in children, very few clinical psychologists make use of attachment theory as their primary theoretical or therapeutic orientation. Participants highlighted the importance of an integrative approach to the understanding of childhood pathology and made reference to the fact that the impact of attachment relationships needs to be considered in conjunction with other risk factors that predispose children to the development of internalizing disorders. Given the importance that participants placed on systemic and contextual factors influencing the attachment relationship, future research could investigate the role of a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of internalizing disorders in children. Further research also needs to be conducted that examines the efficacy of attachment-based conceptualizations and interventions in diminishing internalizing problems in children, and the way that these are perceived by the clinical psychologists working with these behaviours.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The main aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between community violence exposure and the development of psychopathology and examine the relationship between community violence exposure and other types of trauma, that is, childhood trauma and stressful life events. It was hypothesised that exposure to community violence will have a high correlation with development of psychological disorders such as mood and anxiety and psychotic disorders. The main study employed a quantitative research design in order to determine the relationship between PTSD in children and adolescents. The current study used secondary data to measure the correlation between exposure to community violence and the development of psychopathology. The data for this study was collected from 132 consecutive referrals between the ages of 13 to 19 (mean age = 15.4, SD = 1.6) from a youth stress clinic at a university in the Western Cape. Findings indicated that community violence prevalence was higher than previous South African studies but lower compared to American studies. There was generally a high prevalence of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) in this sample compared to previous South African studies. An unexpected outcome was that even though there was a high prevalence of PTSD, there was no relationship between community violence exposure and PTSD in this sample, rather, community violence exposure was related to MDD. Furthermore, MDD and not PTSD was related to experiences of childhood trauma. Stressful life events were related to acute stress disorder (ASD). / South Africa

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Violence is considered to be one of the most critical and threatening global problems plaguing the world today, leaving a trail of devastating consequences to societies, economies, cultures, families and individuals (Desjarlais & Kleinman, 1997). Adolescents who grow up in a context of violence learn distorted ways of thinking, acting, living and interacting. Aggressive tendencies and violent behaviour become internalised and adopted as acceptable ways to resolve conflict situations. Chronic, continuous exposure to violence results in physical, psychological and emotional disturbances, such as depression, anxiety, lowered self-confidence, sleep disturbances, decreased attention and concentration spans. This study addressed the form of violence known as community violence, i.e. violence that children experience within their communities (either as witnesses or as victims). This study investigated the effects of this negative environmental experience and investigated potential mediating and moderating variables that could influence the harmful effects of such experiences. The variables considered as mediating and/or moderating variables were social support and self-esteem. The theoretical framework adopted for this study was Bronfennbrenner's Bioecological Systems theory. / South Africa

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Community violence and substance abuse are equally omnipresent social problems that are characteristic of South African communities. The pervasive nature of these social ills is evident in the astonishingly high prevalence rates in South Africa, where substance-related violence affects the lives of many, especially youth, due to its deleterious effects. The aim of the study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of substance abuse as a contributing factor to community violence using Goldstein’s tripartite conceptual framework of substance abuse and violence. A qualitative methodological framework was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, 16 grade ten learners (male and female) attending a high school within an impoverished Cape Flats community. Two focus groups with eight participants each were conducted. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret information. Four thematic categories were identified from the data namely: adolescents’ perspective on the dynamics of community violence, perceptions of the psychopharmacological influence of substances and violent tendencies, satisfying their needs: substance abusers’ criminality, and substance distribution and violent patterns of interaction and trade. The findings indicate that substance intoxication induces changes in behaviour and psychological processes, making individuals aggressive and violent. Participants believed that substance abusers frequently commit property and violent interpersonal crimes such as theft, robbery, assault, murder and prostitution to obtain substances. Substance distribution was linked to gang violence as a profession for gang members. Furthermore, findings show that systemic violence stems primarily from gang involvement as well as sharing the markets in the substance industry, resulting in rivalry for territory and clients. The current study broadens our understanding of ‘substance abuse-violence’ nexus by providing qualitative information on Goldstein’s (1985) tripartite ii conceptual framework in a South African context. As such, the findings could inform prevention and intervention strategies for both violence exposure and substance abuse. It is especially important because it explores the different dimensions of substance-related violence perceived by a group of adolescents within a Cape Flats community.

Community violence (CV) is a social phenomenon that touches societies around the globe and exhibits alarming prevalence, especially among South African youth. Considering that CV exposure often causes severe internalising and externalising effects, it is not surprising that it can be one of the most destructive experiences for children. Since childhood informs further development, it is significant that factors influencing the general well-being of children be understood and discussed. This includes the exploration and study of a child’s perception, as perceptions have substantial influence over behaviour and well-being. However, few studies have been employed to understand how the youth perceive CV, despite the extensive literature available on this phenomenon. The current study was thus imperative in understanding how adolescents make sense of and perceive CV, which may contribute invaluable knowledge to the intervention efforts and strategies of social workers working with communities. The goal of this study was to explore and describe young adults’ perceptions of CV experienced in a South African context during adolescence. The major objectives of this study were to explore and describe how the participants were exposed to and perceived CV during adolescence, as well as how they believe they were affected by this exposure. The study followed a qualitative research approach and the participants, who comprise of the study population of young adults between the ages of 20 and 25 residing in the City of Tshwane, were attained through means of non-probability sampling, specifically the purposive and snowball sampling methods. An instrumental case study design was applied to the cases of ten (10) participants, who voluntarily participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews that were analysed according to the process phases of Thematic Analysis and were interpreted from the theoretical underpinning of Gestalt theory. The results show that adolescents’ exposure to CV took many different forms and infiltrated their everyday lives. In addition, adolescents’ perceptions of CV were greatly informed and influenced by various factors, both within themselves and within their environments. Furthermore, perceptions of CV were found to largely determine and affect their appraisal thereof, their relative interest therein, as well as their behavioural responses thereto. It can thus be concluded that the study on perceptions of CV is significant towards understanding adolescents’ internal and external functioning and for determining some of the threats encapsulated in CV exposure on adolescent development. Another conclusion drawn was that adolescents’ perceptions of CV may have certain limitations, which could negatively influence reasoning and decision-making and may place various restrictions on their lives. Through socialisation, beliefs and behaviour regarding CV can become normalised, which may lead to the desensitisation thereof. Moreover, perceptions of CV are highly complex and can shape adolescents’ worldviews and self-perception, which might go on to threaten their moral ground and cause disempowerment. The results provide some support for social workers working in violent communities by highlighting various protective factors that may curb the normalisation of CV, as well as its negative effects. Further research should be conducted to determine the degree to which CV has been normalised in South African communities, and the researcher recommends the use of a longitudinal and mixed-method research approach. / Mini Dissertation (MSW (Play-based Intervention))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / 2022/12/31 / Social Work and Criminology / MSW (Play-based Intervention) / Unrestricted

Children in the United States are exposed to considerable community violence that has been linked to child functioning. However, not all those exposed, experience negative outcomes. Recent research has focused on factors that "buffer" or protect children from negative consequences of violence exposure. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential buffering or moderating role of maternal acceptance in the relationship between community violence exposure and internalizing and externalizing problems. Subjects were 268 urban African American first graders. Community violence exposure was significantly related to symptoms of post-traumatic stress, but did not correlate with either internalizing or externalizing problems for all children, after control for demographics, maternal mental health, and general life stress. However, children's perceptions of maternal acceptance moderated the relationship between violence exposure and internalizing and externalizing problems which included being withdrawn, anxious-depressed, and demonstrating delinquent behavior. Children with the lowest levels of self-reported maternal acceptance were most impacted by community violence. In this sample of urban first graders, low levels of maternal acceptance placed children at greater risk for adverse outcomes associated with community violence exposure compared to moderate and high levels of maternal acceptance.

Violent behaviors among adolescents serve as a disruption to many aspects of society. If these behaviors remain uncorrected, there is increased potential for serious self-harm, harm to others, incarceration, and escalation of violence into homicide or suicide. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between youth exposure to community violence and adolescents' social information processing underlying aggressive responses, as well as the potential role of gender in moderating this relationship. A sample of 160 male and female 18-year-olds from the Midwestern United States completed an online survey, which included the Things I Have Seen and Heard (TISH) Scale to assess exposure to community violence and a measure of aggressive responding to ambiguous social situations, based on 4 vignettes devised by Crick and Dodge. The data were analyzed using moderated multiple regression analysis and correlational analysis. Results indicated that a relationship between community violence exposure and adolescents' social information processing of aggressive responses is moderated by gender; there was a significant correlation between TISH scores and the total score from the vignettes among females but not among males. The study results suggest that school-based interventions and violence prevention programs should target the ways in which adolescent girls and young women make decisions when placed in ambiguous or potentially threatening situations, with reference to the level of community violence to which they have been exposed. Hence, this study has implications for positive social change to break the cycle of community violence, based upon enhancing the understanding of mechanisms that relate previous exposure to violence and aggressive responding among youth.