A latent profile analysis of exposure to community violence and peer delinquency in African American adolescents

Abstract

AimsPerson-based analyses have demonstrated wide variability among the levels of exposure to community violence (ECV) experienced by youth in disadvantaged communities. In addition, social network research has found that violence victimization tends to occur primarily among a small social group, demonstrating that levels of peer delinquency may be a factor that distinguishes among youth who experience high and low levels of ECV. MethodsThe current study utilized latent class analysis to examine profiles of ECV and peer delinquency in a sample of 618 African American adolescents (54.7% female; mean age = 15.8, SD = 1.41), and the relationship these profiles have to adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. ResultsResults demonstrated that levels of ECV and peer delinquency vary significantly among these youth, and profile membership predicts levels of delinquency, aggression, future orientation, and self-esteem. ConclusionResearch and clinical implications are discussed.