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Pathways to recurrent trauma among young Black men: traumatic stress, substance use, and the "code of the street"
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Pathways to recurrent trauma among young Black men: traumatic stress, substance use, and the "code of the street"

John A Rich and Courtney M Grey
American journal of public health (1971), v 95(5), pp 816-824
May 2005
PMID: 15855457
url
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2004.044560View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology Recurrence Attitude Humans Wounds and Injuries - complications Wounds and Injuries - etiology Wounds and Injuries - psychology Male Violence - psychology Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology Adolescent Substance-Related Disorders - psychology Adult Violence - statistics & numerical data African Americans - psychology
Recurrent interpersonal violence is a major cause of death and disability among young Black men. Quantitative studies have uncovered factors associated with reinjury, but little is known about how these factors work together. We interviewed young Black male victims to understand their experience of violence. Qualitative analysis of their narratives revealed how their struggle to reestablish safety shaped their response to injury. Aspects of the "code of the street" (including the need for respect) and lack of faith in the police combined with traumatic stress and substance use to accentuate their sense of vulnerability. Victims then reacted to protect themselves in ways that could increase their risk of reinjury. We describe a model with implications for reducing rates of recurrent violent injuries.

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269 citations in Scopus

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This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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