Past research has shown that violent adolescents become more depressed over time than other adolescents. We also know that young people living in violent neighborhoods are more subject to depression. A new study has found that violent adolescent boys who live in unsafe neighborhoods where they witness violent acts do not appear to get as depressed.
It seems that being aggressive in the context of community violence is an adaptive strategy. These adolescents are able to preserve their sense of control amidst the turmoil of their unpredictable environment. Researchers analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative sample of 8,939 adolescents in grades 7 to 12. Violence was defined as getting into a physical fight, pulling a knife or gun, shooting or stabbing someone, seriously injuring someone or taking part in a group fight.
The protective effect of violence was only found among adolescent males. Adolescent girls who act violently tend to become more depressed - and the more violent their environments are, the deeper their depression.
It's hard to know what to take away from this study. In hind-sight it makes sense that violent boys living in violent neighborhoods might be less depressed than their less-violent peers. Is acknowledging this fact condoning violence? A better solution involves working toward reducing neighborhood violence - but that's not a simple task.
Source: Academic press release summarizing: Latzman, R.D., Journal of Community Psychology 33: 355-371, May 2005
