Committee Chair

Walker, Ruth V.

Committee Member

Dierenfeldt, Rick; Arnold, Tomorrow D.

Department

Dept. of Psychology

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The impact of community violence on Black individuals, remains a concern. Despite statistics showing the disproportionate rates of violence among Black individuals, there is a gap in understanding its effects on Black adults. This current study examined how the perception of community violence influences anxiety levels among Black adults. It is suggested that heightened anxiety, stemming from exposure to violence, contributes to maladaptive coping, such as substance use, as individuals attempt to alleviate distress. Among a sample of 202 black adults, we found that higher exposure to community violence (ECV) had a relationship with increased substance use (SU) and anxiety. Similarly, it was discovered that individuals with higher anxiety had higher substance use scores. Although, anxiety did not moderate the relationship between SU and ECV. Further, perceptions of violence in the community related to harm and challenge were associated with higher anxiety levels. Limitations, future directions, and implications are discussed.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Ruth Walker, for her support and guidance throughout my thesis project and taking me in as her student. To my previous advisor, Dr. Tomorrow Arnold, I am beyond thankful to have had you as my first advisor. You have contributed greatly to the researcher and student I am today. All your encouragement and our several talks have helped me get through this program. I would also like to thank my other committee member, Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt, for contributing his time and expertise to my thesis. Additionally, I would like to thank Erin Prince, for literally guiding me through this program. If it was not for all their help and encouragement a lot of my success would not be possible. Finally, thank you to the Scholarship, Engagement, the Arts, Research, Creativity, and Humanities (SEARCH) Award Program for funding my master's thesis.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

5-2025

Subject

African American neighborhoods--Violence against--Psychological aspects; Anxiety--Etiology; Black people--Mental health; Substance abuse--Etiology

Keyword

community violence, Black adults, anxiety, cognitive appraisal, substance use, mental health, racial disparities.

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

x, 66 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Date Available

5-31-2026

Download

Available for download on Sunday, May 31, 2026

Share

COinS