Family and Community Violent Victimization and Risk of Psychiatric Disorders among Puerto Rican Youth in Two Contexts

Youth who are victims of violence are more likely to experience a number of negative mental health and behavioral outcomes, including aggression, depression and anxiety symptoms, and academic failure. However, previous research has used indicators of symptoms of risk, rather than indicators of clinical levels of internalizing or externalizing disorders. Psychiatric disorders in youth represent a more serious and incapacitating condition as compared to high symptoms of anxiety and depression, or behavior problems. High rates of exposure to violence, as well as psychiatric disorders have been found among Puerto Rican youth. This study presents the 3-year cumulative prevalence of direct and indirect victimization to community and family violence among a representative sample (N = 2,184) of Puerto Rican youth 11 to 17 years living in the South Bronx, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and its relationship to risk for psychiatric disorders. Results indicate that Puerto Rican youth are exposed to high rates of violent victimization in both sites. No differences were found in risk of different types of exposure by site. Adjusting for gender and socioeconomic indicators, cumulative direct victimization was associated with increased risk for clinical levels of conduct and oppositional disorders, internalizing symptoms, as well as school expulsions and suspensions. Cumulative exposure to violence was only associated with higher risk for clinical levels of antisocial behaviors. Implications of findings and recommendations for interventions will be discussed.