EXPOSURE TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Community violence, occurring in public settings and including exposure to assaults, shootings, and gang-related incidents, represents a significant stressor for adolescents and poses serious risks to their mental health. This systematic review examines the relationship between community violence and anxiety among adolescents aged 10–19 years, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income contexts, including African countries such as Nigeria. A comprehensive search was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsycINFO for studies published between 2015 and 2025, resulting in the inclusion of 10 eligible studies. The findings reveal five key themes: increased exposure to community violence is strongly associated with higher levels of anxiety; direct victimization produces more severe anxiety outcomes than indirect exposure; mechanisms such as hypervigilance and persistent fear contribute to anxiety development; protective factors, including family and peer support, can mitigate adverse effects; and gender differences exist, with females more likely to report anxiety and males more likely to exhibit externalizing behaviors. The review highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, including school-based mental health screening and community support systems, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Addressing community violence is essential to improving adolescent mental health and promoting healthier developmental outcomes.