The effect of exposure to community violence on levels of aggression: Evidence from a sample of Jamaican children

Abstract

Scholars agree that aggression among children can lead to a host of delinquency issues that can last into adulthood. Research has found that exposure to violence is one of the strongest predictors of aggressive behaviour and the use of violence. Utilizing a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the article seeks to determine the effect of exposure to community violence on levels of aggression among children in Kingston, Jamaica. Using data obtained from a sample of preparatory and primary school children, the article finds that unlike studies done in larger countries, there was no significant difference in aggression among the children. With levels of aggression similar across the sample, the article argues that the widespread nature of violence in Kingston means that no one is immune to the effects. Exposure occurs in a number of ways and the direct witnessing of community violence is only one of a variety of risk factors for increased aggression.