Poster #78 - Trauma and violence as predictors of adolescent adjustment among low-income families: Analysis of moderating effects

• In Event: Poster Session 07

Abstract

A number of investigations have found links between exposure to trauma and violence and adolescent emotion regulation and antisocial behavior (Criss et al., 2016; Fava et al., 2022). While such experiences are related to negative outcomes, not all at-risk youth have adjustment difficulties. For instance, high levels of supportive relationships and contexts (i.e., parents, families, peers) may attenuate these risks. The first goal of the current longitudinal study was to examine links between neighborhood violence and interpersonal trauma and adolescent emotion regulation and antisocial behavior among low-income families. The second research goal was to examine supportive relationships with families, parents, and peers as moderators in these links.

The sample consisted of 171 adolescent girls (M age = 13.58; range = 12-17 years, 24.6% European American, 75.4% racial/ethnic minorities) and parents (81.3% biological mothers; Median annual income = $27,300; 42.1% single parents; 47.4% living below poverty line). Neighborhood violence, interpersonal trauma, peer involvement, and parent involvement were based on adolescent reports (Time 1). Family expressed positivity was assessed using parent reports (Time 1). Youth emotion regulation and antisocial behavior were assessed two years later using parent and adolescent reports.

As indicated in Table 1, high levels of interpersonal trauma and neighborhood violence were significantly related to low levels of adolescent emotion regulation and high levels of adolescent antisocial behavior. As indicated in Table 2, there were five significant two-way interactions. First, neighborhood violence was positively and significantly related to youth antisocial behavior under high levels of peer involvement; this association was not significant under low peer involvement. Second, neighborhood violence was significantly and positively related to youth antisocial behavior under low levels of parental involvement; this association was not significant under high levels of parental involvement. Third, interpersonal trauma was positively and significantly related to antisocial behavior under high levels of parental involvement; this association was not significant for low parental involvement. Four, neighborhood violence was negatively and significantly related to emotion regulation under low levels of family expressed positivity; this association was significant under high levels of family expressed positivity. Five, interpersonal trauma was negatively and significantly related to emotion regulation under high levels of family expressed positivity; this association was not significant under low levels of family expressed positivity.

Consistent with the previous literature (Luthar & Cicchetti 2000; Masten & Coatsworth 1998), the results from the current investigation suggested that the utility of protective factors may be context-specific. That is, the value of supportive relationships with families, parents, and peers as moderators may depend on the particular context. For example, spending a lot of time with friends (which often occurs in neighborhoods) may not be adaptive in violent and dangerous neighborhoods. In contrast, spending time with parents (which occurs in homes) may be helpful in keeping adolescents at home and away from violent neighborhoods. Whereas high levels of positive expressivity in the home may reduce the risk of neighborhood violence on emotion regulation, this factor may serve as an exacerbator in the context of family trauma.

Authors

• Michael M Criss, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
  Presenting Author

• Amy L. McGehee, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa

• Kayleigh Anne Evans, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

• Lixian Cui, NYU Shanghai

• Amanda Sheffield Morris, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa