Exploring community violence, anxiety and substance use among Black adults

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.