Introduction:
Youth in Northern Mexico are exposed to chronic violence, which threatens their psychological well-being and community engagement. In northern cities such as Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez, persistent insecurity contributes to fear, stress, and deteriorating social cohesion. Understanding how young people psychologically respond to these environments is vital for promoting resilience and collective well-being.


Purpose:
This study aimed to examine how coping strategies and post-traumatic stress symptoms influence collective efficacy and risk perception among urban youth aged 18 to 21 living in violent contexts in Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez.


Method:
A correlational and exploratory design was employed. Using cluster and random sampling, 792 university students from 52 educational institutions participated. Instruments included the Diffuse Fear Scale, CIU-Urban Insecurity Coping Strategies Scale, Collective Efficacy Scale, Concrete Fear Scale, and the Collective and Traumatic Events Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS with descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.


Results:
Affective and physiological coping strategies were strongly associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Cognitive coping was moderately related to risk perception, and behavioral coping correlated with personal and family-related fears. Youth in Chihuahua reported higher perceived risk despite lower crime rates, while youth in Ciudad Juárez showed lower perceived risk despite greater exposure to violence. Structural modeling revealed that coping strategies mediate the relationship between trauma symptoms and collective efficacy. Cognitive coping predicted community engagement, whereas affective and physiological strategies were linked to reduced collective efficacy.


Conclusions:
Findings emphasize the importance of psychosocial interventions that strengthen cognitive coping and emotional regulation to reduce trauma symptoms and foster collective efficacy. Tailored community-based strategies are essential to build resilience, especially in high-violence regions. The study offers valuable insights for public policy and mental health programs aimed at supporting vulnerable youth in Mexico.