Community Violence Exposure, Conduct Problems, and Oppositional Behaviors Among Latino Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Academic Performance

Background: The current literature examining how community violence exposure (CVE) differentially relates to oppositional behaviors and conduct problems, as well as factors that impact this link, is limited. Further research is needed to examine these relationships to understand the etiologies of these disorders and what factors can buffer the effects of CVE, particularly among Latino youth. Objective: Accordingly, the current study examined relations between CVE, conduct problems, and oppositional behaviors, and whether academic performance moderated these effects. Methods: The researchers examined these relations in a sample of 144 Latino adolescents (54% male, ages 14–19). Participants completed a survey that included self-report measures on CVE and conduct problems. Participants’ teachers reported on oppositional behaviors and academic performance. Results: Results indicated that CVE was associated with conduct problems, but not oppositional behaviors. Additionally, academic performance was found to moderate the association between CVE and conduct problems, such that at low levels of academic performance, CVE was associated with more conduct problems. Conclusion: CVE was uniquely associated with conduct problems and not oppositional behaviors. Additionally, results of the current study contributes to the literature by suggesting CVE is associated with conduct behaviors when academic performance is low.