A Latent Class Typology of Juvenile Victims and Exploration of Risk Factors and Outcomes of Victimization

Abstract

Although juveniles are known to experience relatively high levels of violence and abuse, study of their victimization is underdeveloped. Using data from a nationally representative survey of 1,000 youth, this study used latent class analysis to construct a typology of juvenile victims and latent class regression to explore previously proposed correlates to juvenile victimization based on lifestyle or routine activity theory of victimization. An analytically derived typology was identified with three classes: minimally victimized youth, victims of bullying, and universally victimized youth. Parental supervision, school violence, family adversity, and age were found to significantly affect the placement of youth into the various classes. Implications for juvenile justice and other service providers include the importance of attending to the harmful effects of peer victimizations and providing trauma-recovery treatment.