The present study tests a conceptual framework guided by the social disorganization theory, which examined whether neighborhood deterioration was correlated with perceived hopelessness, and coping strategies (i.e., defending behavior and a display of a tough demeanor). We also examined whether, within the context of social disadvantage, some coping strategies were correlated with aggressive behavior, which might be associated with peer victimization. The study sample consisted of 502 African American youths in low-resource communities in Chicago’s Southside. Results indicated that neighborhood deterioration was positively associated with hopelessness (B = .138, p = .006), tough demeanor (B = .137, p = .042), and peer victimization (B = .158, p = .011). Also, hopelessness was positively associated with peer victimization (B = .109, p = .025). Defending behavior was positively associated with physical aggression (B = .110, p = .009) and verbal aggression (B = .047, p = .019). Moreover, tough demeanor was also positively associated with physical aggression (B = .217, p < .001) and verbal aggression (B = .169, p < .001). Furthermore, verbal aggression was found to be positively associated with peer victimization (B = .766, p = .019). Overall, findings point to a more nuanced and complex relationship between neighborhood conditions and peer victimization among urban African American youth. An understanding of the coping strategies of urban adolescents in dealing with peer victimization encounters can shed light on the complexities of adolescent peer dynamics in urban areas.

中文翻译：

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社会劣势和同伴受害：探索潜在途径

本研究测试了一个以社会解体理论为指导的概念框架，该框架检验了邻里恶化是否与感知到的绝望和应对策略（即捍卫行为和表现出的强硬风度）相关。我们还研究了在社会劣势的背景下，一些应对策略是否与攻击行为相关，这可能与同伴受害有关。研究样本包括芝加哥南区低资源社区的 502 名非洲裔美国青年。结果表明，附近恶化呈正绝望（相关联的乙 = 0.138，p  = 0.006），坚韧风度（乙 = 0.137，  p  = 0.042），和同伴侵害（B  = .158，  p  = .011）。此外，绝望与同伴受害呈正相关（B  = .109，  p  = .025）。防御行为与身体攻击（B  = .110，  p  = .009）和言语攻击（B  = .047，  p  = .019）呈正相关。此外，强硬的举止也与身体攻击（B  = .217，  p  < .001）和言语攻击（B  = .169，  p  < .001）呈正相关。此外，发现言语攻击与同伴受害呈正相关（B  = .766，  p = .019）。总体而言，调查结果表明，在城市非裔美国青年中，邻里条件与同龄人受害之间存在更为微妙和复杂的关系。了解城市青少年在处理同伴受害遭遇时的应对策略可以揭示城市地区青少年同伴动态的复杂性。