The Nexus between Neighborhood Violence, Perceptions of Danger, and Child Health: New Evidence from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health

• In Event: Exploring the Health Consequences of Victimization Across the Life Course

Abstract

Exposure to violence and violent victimization have been associated with various facets of children’s mental and physical health. This study explores whether, net of other neighborhood risk factors, exposure to neighborhood violence and perceptions of neighborhood danger are associated with child health status and health risks across four dimensions: health difficulties, chronic physical conditions, developmental disorders, and mental health conditions. Data are derived from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, a survey of a cross-sectional weighted probability sample of U.S. children from 0 to 17 years of age. The findings indicate that neighborhood violence exposure and perceptions of danger are robustly associated with the studied health dimensions, above and beyond other indicators of neighborhood risk. Exposure to violence in the neighborhood (i.e., either witnessing violence or being a direct victim of violence) was especially relevant to the occurrence and accumulation of intersecting health problems across dimensions. It may be worthwhile for multiple sectors and agencies to collectively invest in public safety and community violence prevention as a means of promoting health among children.

Authors

• Dylan B. Jackson, The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Chad Posick, Georgia Southern University

• Michael G. Vaughn, St. Louis University