Self-reported crime exposure is significantly associated with poorer behavioral health in adolescents, according to a study published recently in the Community Mental Health Journal by a Georgia Health Policy Center researcher. Since both direct victimization and indirect exposure, through witnessing violence or knowing someone who was victimized, are independently tied to poorer mental health and higher substance misuse, the authors say health care providers should assess the full range of crime exposure, rather than only focusing on violent victimization.
“By utilizing a more comprehensive set of variables to assess self-reported crime exposure, this research addresses gaps and expands the base of knowledge regarding adolescents’ exposure to crime and associations with behavioral health,” says coauthor Brigitte Manteuffel, Ph.D., a senior research associate at the Georgia Health Policy Center.
The researchers assessed both objective measures of crime and self-reported crime exposure to determine associations of individual- and area-level exposures with four behavioral health measures among teens.
Self-reported crime exposure data from 5,519 adolescents was linked to Federal Bureau of Investigations’ violent crime data (e.g., murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and assault) by zip code. Respondents were youth with serious mental health conditions who participated in the national evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) Child Mental Health Initiative.
The researchers report that these youth had significant exposure to adverse childhood experiences. Nearly half of respondents were exposed to family violence, and more than one-third were gang affiliated. Half of respondents reported no experience with crime. Among those reporting crime exposure:
- One in ten were the victim of violent crime.
- More than one in eight both had seen violent crime and knew victims of violent crime.
Self-reported crime exposure was significantly associated with poorer behavioral health, including emotional and behavioral problems, depression, and substance use problems. As might be expected, violent victimization was most strongly tied to behavioral health measures. Area-level crime rates were only significantly tied to depression scores in teens.
Addressing trauma, including that resulting from exposure to violence, is increasingly recognized as vital to behavioral health care. Given the significant association between crime exposure and teens’ behavioral well-being, the authors recommend that future policy could focus on implementing early interventions, targeting those with crime exposure.
“Every category of self-reported crime exposure adversely affects teens’ behavioral health, yet it is unclear whether providers inquire about crime exposure, especially whether they know victims or have seen a crime,” says Manteuffel. “Crime exposure could be assessed in schools as adolescents spend a large amount of time there, with targeted services provided for those with exposures that are associated with worse outcomes.”
As the home of the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health, GHPC supports solutions to the behavioral health needs of children, youth, and young adults. These solutions include school-based mental health programs and trauma-informed approaches.