Understanding the Protective Role of Adolescent-Adult Relationships Among Minoritized Youths in Neighborhoods Impacted by Community Violence

Using dyadic youth-adult interviews, the current study explored characteristics, benefits, and challenges of supportive youth-adult relationships for youths living in neighborhoods with high levels of community violence. Thirty-two dyads of youths between the ages 13 to 21 years (63% female, 88% Black) and their self-identified key adult supports in Pittsburgh, PA, completed semi-structured interviews exploring important qualities of youth-adult relationships, aspects which strengthen these relationships, relationship challenges, and intergenerational support. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis and an iterative coding process to identify key themes. For youths and adults, important qualities that constituted supportive relationships included being dependable, nonjudgmental, a best friend, and providing unwavering support. Occasionally, youths and adults found it difficult to communicate and understand each other. Despite these challenges, the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and dynamic, bidirectional support were instrumental in helping youths navigate obstacles and thrive. The study highlighted the importance of youth-adult relationships across family and community contexts in empowering youths in neighborhoods impacted by community violence. Dyadic and network-based interventions should be developed that uplift the strengths of youths and their adult supports while simultaneously being attuned to challenges that minoritized youths and adults encounter in neighborhoods impacted by violence.

本研究通过青少年 - 成年人成对访谈，探讨了在社区暴力程度较高的社区中生活的青少年所拥有的支持性青少年 - 成年人关系的特征、益处和挑战。宾夕法尼亚州匹兹堡市32对年龄在13至21岁之间的青少年（63%为女性，88%为黑人）及其自行认定的关键成年支持者完成了半结构化访谈，探讨了青少年 - 成年人关系的重要品质、强化这些关系的方面、关系面临的挑战以及代际支持。使用主题内容分析和迭代编码过程对数据进行分析，以确定关键主题。对于青少年和成年人来说，构成支持性关系的重要品质包括可靠、不评判、是最好的朋友以及提供坚定不移的支持。有时，青少年和成年人发现彼此难以沟通和理解。尽管存在这些挑战，知识的代际传递以及动态的双向支持有助于帮助青少年克服障碍并茁壮成长。该研究强调了在家庭和社区环境中青少年 - 成年人关系在赋予受社区暴力影响的社区中的青少年权力方面的重要性。应该制定基于成对和网络的干预措施，提升青少年及其成年支持者的优势，同时关注少数族裔青少年和成年人在受暴力影响的社区中遇到的挑战。