The Role of Family Conflict in the Relation Between Exposure to Community Violence and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

The current study examined the role of family conflict as a mediator in the relation between exposure to community violence and depressive symptoms, after controlling for non-violent life stressors. One hundred thirty-three early adolescents (ages 11-15 years) completed a demographics questionnaire, the Survey of Exposure to Community Violence, the 9-item conflict subscale of the Family Environment Scale, the Children's Depression Inventory, and the Life Events Checklist. Family conflict was not a significant mediator of the relation between exposure to community violence via victimization and depressive symptoms after controlling for non-violent negative life stressors. However, family conflict was a significant mediator of this relation when not controlling for non-violent negative life stressors. Future research should focus more attention on the role of negative life stressors. Clinical efforts should target youth who have recently experienced multiple negative life stressors rather than just those who have been victimized by community violence.