Examining a Dual‐Process Model of Desensitization and Hypersensitization to Community Violence in African American Male Adolescents

The purpose of the current study was to examine a dual‐process model of reactivity to community violence exposure in African American male adolescents from urban communities. The model focused on desensitization and hypersensitization effects as well as desensitization and hypersensitization as predictors of aggressive behavior. Participants were 133 African American male high school students, mean age = 15.17 years, SD = 0.96. Participants completed measures of exposure to community violence, depressive symptoms, hyperarousal symptoms, aggressive beliefs, and aggressive behaviors at two time points. Community violence exposure predicted changes in aggression, β = .25, p = .004, and physiological arousal, β = .22, p = .010, over time, but not aggressive beliefs. The curvilinear association between community violence exposure and changes in depression over time was not significant, β = .42, p = .083, but there was a significant linear association between the exposure to community violence (ECV) and changes in levels of depression over time, β = .21, p = .014. Results indicated a significant mediation effect for hyperarousal on the association between community violence exposure and aggressive behavior, B = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.04, 0.54]. Results showed support for physiological hypersensitization, with hypersensitization increasing the risk for aggressive behavior. Resumen Spanish s by the Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET) Examinando un Modelo de Doble‐Proceso de la Desensibilización y la Hipersensibilización a la Violencia Comunitaria en Adolescentes Hombres Afroamericanos Modelo de doble‐Proceso de Violencia Comunitaria El propósito del presente estudio fue examinar un modelo de doble‐proceso de reactividad a la exposición de violencia comunitaria en adolescentes hombres afroamericanos de comunidades urbanas, el cual examinó los efectos de la desensibilización y la hipersensibilización, así como también la desensibilización y la hipersensibilización como predictores de comportamiento agresivo. Los participantes fueron 133 estudiantes afroamericanos de secundaria, edad media = 15,17 años, DE = 0,96. Los participantes completaron medidas de exposición a la violencia comunitaria, síntomas depresivos, síntomas de hiper‐activación, creencias agresivas, y comportamientos agresivos en dos instancias de evaluación. La exposición a la violencia comunitaria predijo cambios en la agresión, β = 0,25, p = 0,004, y activación fisiológica, β = 0,22, p = 0,010,