A systematic review of socioecological factors, community violence exposure, and disparities for Latinx youth.

Community violence exposure poses a public health risk exacerbated by immigration-related stressors and environmental factors, including systemic racism and interpersonal discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and anti-immigrant laws and policies, that disproportionately impact Latinx-immigrant and systematically minoritized youth. Using the ecological-transactional model of community violence as a conceptual framework, this systematic review was conducted to examine research on exposure to community violence, risk and protective factors, and associated health and mental health sequelae among Latinx youth. The initial search generated 2,152 articles, 291 of which were reviewed for detailed evaluation; ultimately, 59 articles were included. Mexican-origin youth and adolescent samples were the most represented in research studies. Across several studies, Latinx youth reported high rates of violence exposure and poor health or mental health outcomes. The findings revealed important gaps in socioecological factors, with a dearth of evidence establishing macrosystem factors or culturally salient and immigrant-related factors. Notable risk and protective factors at various ecological levels were identified and discussed as key opportunities for future research and points of intervention or prevention efforts for Latinx-immigrant and systematically minoritized youth.

In the trauma-informed care trenches: Teacher compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and intent to leave education within underserved elementary schools.

BACKGROUND: School-based trauma-informed care (TIC) represents a novel way of supporting children with trauma histories. However, minimal research has focused on how TIC impacts teacher wellbeing, which is concerning given the relationship between occupational stress and turnover from education. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated teacher characteristics associated with perceived effectiveness of TIC and intent to leave education. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study included 163 teachers in underserved elementary schools serving a high percentage of low-income, English-language learner Latinx students. METHODS: Teachers completed a survey regarding an ongoing TIC program and quality of life for helping professionals. RESULTS: Higher compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress (STS), as well as lower burnout, were associated with perceived effectiveness of TIC. Older teachers, and those with lower compassion satisfaction and higher burnout, were more likely to report intentions to leave education. STS and perceived effectiveness of TIC were not associated with turnover intent. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that teacher occupational wellbeing, particularly compassion satisfaction, plays a role in buy-in to TIC and retention among teachers.

When Treatment is Traumatic: An Empirical Review of Interventions for Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress.

Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) is common among injured/ill children and is associated with elevated distress, treatment non-adherence, and poor health outcomes. As survivorship of life-threatening pediatric injury and illness continues to increase alongside rapid medical advancements, rates of PMTS and negative sequelae are expected to grow; however, research on prevention and treatment of PMTS is limited. The current study sought to systematically review the literature using a developmental framework to highlight research gaps. Sixteen peer-reviewed studies were identified via a systematic literature search. Consistent with best practices for treatment of childhood trauma, caregiver involvement and CBT principles served as the foundation for most interventions. All studies reported improvements in PMTS; however, among the most methodologically rigorous, few found statistically superior reductions in PMTS between intervention and control groups. While many studies focused on a specific developmental stage and discussed developmental considerations, others took a "one-size-fits" approach. Interventions that demonstrated the most promising findings were online, self-guided, or time-limited. Future research would benefit from expanding diversity of participants, continuing to evaluate novel delivery methods, and integrating developmental considerations along with trauma-informed care (TIC) approaches, given their useful framework for understanding child traumatic stress responses and avenues for prevention and treatment.

Linking profiles of neighborhood elements to health and related outcomes among children across the United States.

The current study explored association of neighborhood elements to children's health and related outcomes. Nationally representative data (N = 49,513,974, ages 6-17, 51.1% Male) was used to empirically define classes of neighborhoods based on presence or absence of various neighborhood elements. Analyses resulted in a three-class model: 1) "High Assets, Low Disorganization" (64.57%), 2) "High Assets, High Disorganization" (13.51%), and 3) "Few Assets, Low Disorganization" (21.91%). Class Membership was differentially associated with health, flourishing, and neighborhood cohesion. Results suggest health interventions should focus on increasing neighborhood assets, decreasing levels of neighborhood violence and poverty, and improving social dynamics of neighborhoods.

Using Community-Based Participatory Research and Human-Centered Design to Address Violence-Related Health Disparities Among Latino/a Youth.

High rates of exposure to violence and other adversities among Latino/a youth contribute to health disparities. The current article addresses the ways in which community-based participatory research (CBPR) and human-centered design (HCD) can help engage communities in dialogue and action. We present a project exemplifying how community forums, with researchers, practitioners, and key stakeholders, including youths and parents, integrated HCD strategies with a CBPR approach. Given the potential for power inequities among these groups, CBPR + HCD acted as a catalyst for reciprocal dialogue and generated potential opportunity areas for health promotion and change. Future directions are described.