Emotional and behavioral effects of exposure to violence in Colombian children and youngsters

This study aimed at determining the relationship between various levels of direct and indirect exposure to violence, and victimization, emotional (anxiety and depression), and behavioral (aggression and delinquency) effects in 1362 children and youngsters (56,8% males, 43,2% females), aged 7-8 (14,53%), 9-10 (64,96%), 11-12 (38,10%) and 13-14 (7,19%), studying 2nd – 5th primary grade and 1st year of secondary, and from three socioeconomic levels (38% high, 26,1% medium and 36% low) from Cali, Colombia. Significant differences were found between levels of total exposure to violence, direct exposure to violence and higher scores en anxiety, depression, PTSD, aggression and delinquency. These effects were significantly higher in low than in medium or high socioeconomic strata. Unlike general exposure, direct exposure to violence showed a greater relation to delinquency, according to reports by mothers. Limitations and caveats of the present study are discussed, as well as implications for future research and for designing prevention programs.