The relationship between exposure to community violence and the development of depression in children between the ages 11-12

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to community violence and the development of depression in children, as well as to explore the impact of variables like perceived competence and social support on this relationship. Samples were drawn from the highest and lowest violent communities in the Western Cape, respectively. Data for identifying these communities was obtained from the South African Police head office. It should also be noted that this study was done during a time when a moratorium was placed on statistics regarding critter and violence. As such the highest and lowest violence communities were identified based on 1999 statistics, which at the time were the latest statistics available to the public.