Journal Article Review

Guadalupe Cisneros

22SP HDFS 2563 02 CHILDHOOD GUIDANCE

Journal Article Review

April 16, 2022

Dr. Carla Sewer

Texas Woman's University
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Reference:

Osofsky, J. D. (1999). The impact of violence on children. The Future of Children, 9(3), 33–49.

https://doi.org/10.2307/1602780

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine how children cope with violence.

Research Question:

How can children withstand the adverse effects of various forms of violence, and how are children affected physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially?

Subjects:

Studies were done on children 6th, 8th, and 10th graders, 500 Elementary School students, 165 mothers with children ages 6-10 years old, and 53 African American mothers of children ages 9-12 years old.


Sampling Procedures:

This study examined the information provided and divided his findings into two groups; School-Age and Adolescents. He looked at critical factors that contributed to their resilience, the children's characteristics were explored, and the importance of the community.

Data Collection:

Survey New Haven, Connecticut 6th, 8th and 10th graders, Southside Chicago Illinois 500 Elementary School students, Boston Massachusetts parents at a public hospital, Washington D.C. 165 mothers with children ages 6-10 years old, New Orleans, Louisiana 53 African American mothers of children ages 9-12 years old.

Data Analysis:

The researcher used different surveys to come up with her conclusions regarding violence and children in the United States.

Findings:

Some of the conclusions of this study were that children are affected negatively by violence. In the instance of school-age children, they began to show signs of depression and anxiety. These children also had trouble sleeping and coping with their environment. In addition, they started to show signs of violence in their schools. Interestingly, these elementary school-age children's symptoms of stress were that of post-traumatic stress disorder. The researcher stated that more studies had been done on adolescents' effects than on younger children. As expected, these teenagers showed aggressive behaviors and, in severe cases, stress disorders like that of soldiers from war. Teenagers showed signs of being vengeful and were more likely to join gangs. A caring adult was the critical factor for the children who showed resilience when exposed to violence either at home or in their communities.

Critique:

The studies showed that violence had the same effect regardless of age. While this research was done with studies from different groups, infants and toddlers did not have much information. It was noted that the group that was the most studied were teens. Children exposed to violence either by witnessing, being the victim, or through the media hurt their overall development. It is up to the communities and adults to seek ways to help children grow in a healthier environment. As younger children are exposed to cell phones and electronic devices, researchers need to watch the long-term consequences these elements cause in a child. All children deserve to live healthy and happy life.

 

This particular assignment is for one of the classes regarding the effect of violence on children. While extensive research has been done on teenagers, very little has been done on younger children. If your enthusiasm has any indication, I can only hope for a good grade. What I found intriguing was that the report said that a caring adult could change a child’s life and environment.

XOXOX