Children's exposure to violence and crime declined between 2003 and 2011.
Rates of violent crime have declined in the United States since the 1990s. The authors previously completed three national telephone surveys of children and caregivers on children's exposure to violence in 2003, 2008 and 2011.
In this study, the authors analyzed the surveys for changes over time from 2003 to 2011.
The authors examined 50 specific trends in exposures to violence and crime and found 27 significant declines and no significant increases between 2003 and 2011. There were declines in assaults involving weapons or injuries and assaults by peers and siblings. Physical and emotional victimization (bullying) also declined, as did sexual victimization. Researchers also identified declines in exposure to violence and also no increases during the recession years of 2008 to 2011. Researchers speculate about the causes for the declines, including the growing use of psychiatric medication among youth and adults and the increased use of electronic technology so young people have less face-to-face social contact where violence and assaults may occur.
"The overarching epidemiologic picture seems to show substantial drops in violence and abuse exposure during the 1990s, with continuing declines during the 2000s that have not been reversed by the economic adversities of the 2008 recession. These declines have occurred for many kinds of exposure, including assault, bullying, sexual assault, property crime, and witnessing violence." said David Finkelhor, Ph.D., of the University of New Hampshire, Durham, and colleagues in their JAMA Pediatrics article.
In a related editorial, John R. Lutzker, Ph.D., and colleagues at Georgia State University, Atlanta, write: "Finkelhor and colleagues continue their leadership in providing trend data on maltreatment of children. … The data shared by Finkelhor et al refute the notion that crime and victimization data necessarily rise in economic hard times."
"Nonetheless, it is important that the media be aware of the findings reported by Finkelhor et al. All too often, incidents of mass violence – such as shootings at schools, theaters or malls – dominate the news (which is understandable) and raise fears among the public. These incidents can also lead the public to believe that violence is on the rise owing to the availability heuristic: the ease with which one can recall a violent incident leads to an overestimation of prevalence. Thus, to inform policy and for the collective national psyche, the public should be informed of the good news about these trends," they continue.
"Studies such as that reported by Finkelhor et al provide much-needed epidemiologic data but tell us very little about the reasons for the decline in child violence," the authors note.
Explore further: Study updates estimates, trends for childhood exposure to violence, crime, abuse
More information: JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5296
JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5330
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Children's exposure to violence and crime declined between 2003 and 2011.
Rates of violent crime have declined in the United States since the 1990s. The authors previously completed three national telephone surveys of children and caregivers on children's exposure to violence in 2003, 2008 and 2011.
In this study, the authors analyzed the surveys for changes over time from 2003 to 2011.
The authors examined 50 specific trends in exposures to violence and crime and found 27 significant declines and no significant increases between 2003 and 2011. There were declines in assaults involving weapons or injuries and assaults by peers and siblings. Physical and emotional victimization (bullying) also declined, as did sexual victimization. Researchers also identified declines in exposure to violence and also no increases during the recession years of 2008 to 2011. Researchers speculate about the causes for the declines, including the growing use of psychiatric medication among youth and adults and the increased use of electronic technology so young people have less face-to-face social contact where violence and assaults may occur.
"The overarching epidemiologic picture seems to show substantial drops in violence and abuse exposure during the 1990s, with continuing declines during the 2000s that have not been reversed by the economic adversities of the 2008 recession. These declines have occurred for many kinds of exposure, including assault, bullying, sexual assault, property crime, and witnessing violence." said David Finkelhor, Ph.D., of the University of New Hampshire, Durham, and colleagues in their JAMA Pediatrics article.
In a related editorial, John R. Lutzker, Ph.D., and colleagues at Georgia State University, Atlanta, write: "Finkelhor and colleagues continue their leadership in providing trend data on maltreatment of children. … The data shared by Finkelhor et al refute the notion that crime and victimization data necessarily rise in economic hard times."
"Nonetheless, it is important that the media be aware of the findings reported by Finkelhor et al. All too often, incidents of mass violence – such as shootings at schools, theaters or malls – dominate the news (which is understandable) and raise fears among the public. These incidents can also lead the public to believe that violence is on the rise owing to the availability heuristic: the ease with which one can recall a violent incident leads to an overestimation of prevalence. Thus, to inform policy and for the collective national psyche, the public should be informed of the good news about these trends," they continue.
"Studies such as that reported by Finkelhor et al provide much-needed epidemiologic data but tell us very little about the reasons for the decline in child violence," the authors note.
Explore further: Study updates estimates, trends for childhood exposure to violence, crime, abuse
More information: JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5296
JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 28, 2014. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5330
Medical Xpress on facebook
Related Stories
Study updates estimates, trends for childhood exposure to violence, crime, abuse
May 13, 2013
A study by David Finkelhor, Ph.D., of the University of New Hampshire, and colleagues updates estimates and trends for childhood exposure to a range of violence, crime and abuse victimizations.
Decline in binge drinking 'helps cut UK violent crime'
Apr 23, 2014
A decline in binge drinking in England and Wales has likely contributed to a significant fall in reported injuries from violent crime, researchers said on Wednesday.
Ethnically diverse neighbourhoods 'safer'
Apr 10, 2014
Residents of ethnically diverse neighbourhoods can expect to experience fewer assaults than residents of neighbourhoods with little or no ethnic diversity, according to a new way of measuring violence.
Authorities often aware of previous incidents of victimization among children and adolescents
Jan 03, 2011
Almost half of U.S. youth who experience violence, abuse or crime have had at least one of their victimizations known to school, police or medical authorities, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire ...
Study looks at the impact of violence on children
Feb 13, 2013
It's not how much violence a child is exposed to that can create emotional and behavioral problems in life. It's exposure to a variety of different types of violence.
Recommended for you
Well-informed patients key to accepting gene-based drug dosing
1 hour ago
A new study out of Western University (London, Canada) illustrates the need for a lot more education around pharmacogenetics (PGx) –the study of how a patient's genes can affect drug reaction and dosage. ...
Researchers gauge the toll of trampoline fractures on children
3 hours ago
Trampoline accidents sent an estimated 288,876 people, most of them children, to hospital emergency departments with broken bones from 2002 to 2011, at a cost of more than $400 million, according to an analysis by researchers ...
Estimating baby's size gets more precise
3 hours ago
New Michigan State University research aims to help doctors estimate the size of newborns with a new set of birth weight measurements based on birth records from across the country.
Nutriflow delivers fat to preemies
7 hours ago
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Urgent care centers must be made ready for kids: New AAP guidelines
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Researchers identify link between fetal growth and risk of stillbirth
Apr 22, 2014
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User comments
© Medical Xpress 2011-2014, Science X network
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