More than one in four children in the United States is exposed to weapon-related violence -- as a victim or witness -- which ups their risk for mental health problems, a new study says.
Using 2011 data from a national survey of children and parents, researchers also estimated that one in 33 kids has been assaulted in incidents where lethal weapons -- guns and knives -- were used.
Such lethal weapons exposure makes it more likely they will arm themselves, or associate with people carrying weapons. They are also more likely to suffer long-term psychiatric consequences, the study authors said.
"Exposure to violence involving highly lethal weapons is associated with higher trauma symptoms, over and above exposure to all other types of violence, making it a strong contributor to adolescent depression, anxiety and aggression," said study co-author Kimberly Mitchell, a research assistant professor of psychology at the University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center.
"These are problems pediatricians encounter often in their practices," she added.
Kids exposed to weapons-related violence are also more likely than others to experience seven or more types of victimization in the prior year, the researchers found.
The study, published online June 8 in the journal Pediatrics, focused on more than 4,100 children from 2 to 17 years old who participated in a telephone survey. (Parents or caregivers answered questions for those younger than 10.)
[For more of this story, written by Carrie Myers, go to http://consumer.healthday.com/...lth-woes-700118.html]
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