Recurring victimization: What role does head injury play?

Abstract

PurposeThere is little understanding of why some victims experience multiple victimization events while others are victimized once or not at all. One possible distinguishing characteristic is having a prior head injury, given the strong linkage between prior head injuries and aggression/violence and their connection to victimization. It is plausible that prior head injuries may also lead to recurring victimization. MethodsTo examine the possibility that head injury and serious head injury may distinguish between people who are non-victims, single-wave victims, or recurring-victims, we use data from multiple waves of the Pathways to Desistance study. Multinomial regression analyses were utilized to examine prior head injury's (and serious head injury's) effects on being a recurring victim compared to a single-wave victim or non-victim, holding constant demographic controls and other related correlates that may be related to head injury and victimization status. ResultsWe find that having a prior head injury and serious head injury are able to distinguish between non-victims, single-wave victims, and recurring-victims. ConclusionsHead injury increases the odds of being a recurring victim compared to a non-victim, and serious head injury increases the odds of being a recurring victim compared to a non-victim and a single-wave victim. Future research, theoretical implications, and policy implications are discussed.