Early Exposure to Violence and Its Correlation to Mental Health Concerns and Criminality in Adulthood: A Racial and Gender Analysi

The purpose of this study was to delve deeper into the long-term effects of early exposure to violence. The study sought to gauge any difference in the outcomes between genders and racial groups. The sample consisted of males and females, ages 18 years and up, all reporting exposure to some type of violence during childhood and adolescence. Results indicated males were more likely to engage in criminal behavior in adulthood when compared to females; there were no gender differences regarding mental health concerns in adulthood. Due to the low number of Caucasian and Hispanic participants, a racial analysis could not be performed.