Neighborhood Threat on Academic Achievement in Adolescents
Mentor 1
Krista Lisdahl
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
Youth perception of neighborhood threats (NT) (exposure to violence, crime, etc.) is a public health concern and an important social driver of health and brain development. Elevated NT is related to worsened neurocognitive outcomes, including memory, language ability, and vocabulary knowledge in addition to lower overall academic achievement (e.g. grades). Studies have investigated parent perception on NT; however, little is known on both youth and parent perceptions of NT and the impact on AA. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between perceived NT on AA. This study examined the relationship between parent and youth perceived NT among 9-10-year-old adolescents (n = 9,406) enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Data Release 4.0). Youth and parents answered the Neighborhood Safety and Crime Survey Modified from PhenX (NSC) question, “My neighborhood is safe from crime.” Parents answered two additional questions: “I feel safe walking in my neighborhood, day or night,” and, “Violence is not a problem in my neighborhood.” To examine the relationship between perceived NT predicting AA, a linear mixed effects regression was used adjusting for sex at birth, race, ethnicity, age, household income, parent education, parental monitoring, school affiliation, and site. Increased youth and parent perception of NT was associated with lower AA (t = -3.106; p = 0.002), holding all other predictors constant. Findings suggest that perceived NT is related to lower AA during early adolescence. NT may be crucial in determining the best models to help adolescents at risk of low AA. Thus, public health efforts and school interventions for improved academic performance should target promoting safety and reduce violence in the neighborhood and community.
Neighborhood Threat on Academic Achievement in Adolescents
Youth perception of neighborhood threats (NT) (exposure to violence, crime, etc.) is a public health concern and an important social driver of health and brain development. Elevated NT is related to worsened neurocognitive outcomes, including memory, language ability, and vocabulary knowledge in addition to lower overall academic achievement (e.g. grades). Studies have investigated parent perception on NT; however, little is known on both youth and parent perceptions of NT and the impact on AA. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between perceived NT on AA. This study examined the relationship between parent and youth perceived NT among 9-10-year-old adolescents (n = 9,406) enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Data Release 4.0). Youth and parents answered the Neighborhood Safety and Crime Survey Modified from PhenX (NSC) question, “My neighborhood is safe from crime.” Parents answered two additional questions: “I feel safe walking in my neighborhood, day or night,” and, “Violence is not a problem in my neighborhood.” To examine the relationship between perceived NT predicting AA, a linear mixed effects regression was used adjusting for sex at birth, race, ethnicity, age, household income, parent education, parental monitoring, school affiliation, and site. Increased youth and parent perception of NT was associated with lower AA (t = -3.106; p = 0.002), holding all other predictors constant. Findings suggest that perceived NT is related to lower AA during early adolescence. NT may be crucial in determining the best models to help adolescents at risk of low AA. Thus, public health efforts and school interventions for improved academic performance should target promoting safety and reduce violence in the neighborhood and community.
