Living Healthy in Philadelphia: How Youth Deal with the Stress of Living in Violent Communities

Background: High levels of violence in Philadelphia affect youth directly and provide substantial challenges that can interfere with healthy development.

Purpose: To learn from youth as they describe their exposure to violent environments and their assets in dealing with these stressors.

Methods: Semi-structured, audio-taped interviews were conducted with youth, ages 10-16, living in West/Southwest Philadelphia. Data analysis (descriptive coding and within-case/across-case analysis) was concurrent with data collection. Preliminary findings informed subsequent interviews.

Results: Youth described their environment as both safe and unsafe social and physical locations and most were able to describe ways in which they moved about the neighborhood to feel safe. Youth explained how they avoided perceived unsafe places by traveling with others, avoiding nighttime movement, and being aware of known violent places. Youth identified strategies to deal with stressors including: strategies for safety, stress, disagreements, disrespect, and success. Avoidance was a strategy for safety as youth consider where they go, how they continuously monitor their surroundings and assess social situations, and modify behavior to maximize safety. Strategies for stress included talking with others and prayer. Strategies for disagreements included walking away or talking. Strategies for success included going to school, being a leader, and staying involved. All youth identified significant others on whom they could rely and confide.

Conclusions: Youth are able to identify stressors and dangerous areas in their neighborhood and invoke assets that help them be safe and healthy. Findings inform prevention efforts by integrating the natural methods used by youth to cope with stress.