Citation

Jain S, Cohen AK. Health Educ. Behav. 2013; 40(6): 651-662.

Affiliation

1WestEd, Health and Human Development Program, Oakland, CA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1090198113492761

PMID

23818463

Abstract

Most studies to date have examined negative effects of exposure to community violence, in line with the deficit-based perspective. However, given that most youth exposed to community violence demonstrate positive adaptation or resilience over time, we suggest a shift in perspective, practices, and policies across systems toward identifying and building individual, family, and community assets and strengths that may more effectively support youth who have been exposed to community violence and related risks into competent, caring, and thriving adults. In this article, we review how resilience has been conceptualized and operationalized within the context of community violence, highlight gaps in literature, and offer directions for future public health research and practice. We illustrate this review with practice-based examples from public health work in the San Francisco Bay Area. Future multidisciplinary longitudinal studies that identify protective processes and successful trajectories and rigorous evaluations of strength-based policies, programs, and protective processes are needed.

Language: en