Distinct Victimization Research Articles

Predictive analysis of bullying victimization trajectory in a Chinese early adolescent cohort based on machine learning

BackgroundThe development of bullying victimization among adolescents displays significant individual variability, with general, group-based interventions often proving insufficient for partial victims. This study aimed to conduct a machine learning-based predictive analysis of bullying victimization trajectories among Chinese early adolescents and to examine the underlying determinants. MethodsData were collected from 1549 students who completed three assessments of bullying victimization from 2019 to 2021. Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure bullying victimization and its associated risk and protective factors. Trajectories were classified using the Group-based Trajectory Model (GBTM), while a Random Forest algorithm was employed to develop a predictive model. Associations between baseline characteristics and victimization trajectories were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analysis. ResultsThe GBTM identified four distinct victimization trajectories, with the predictive model demonstrating adequate accuracy across these trajectories, ranging from 0.812 to 0.990. Predictors exhibited varying influences across different trajectory subgroups. Odds ratios (ORs) were notably higher in the persistent severe victimization group compared to the low victimization group (OR for adverse school experiences: 3.698 vs. 1.386; for age: 2.160 vs. 1.252; for irritability traits: 1.867 vs. 1.270). Adolescents reporting lower school satisfaction and higher borderline personality features showed a greater likelihood of persistent severe victimization, while those with lower peer satisfaction faced increased victimization over time. ConclusionsThe machine learning-based predictive model facilitates the identification of adolescents across different victimization trajectory groups, offering insights for designing targeted interventions. The identified risk factors are instrumental in guiding effective intervention strategies.

Influences of poly-victimization on adolescents' pre-treatment cognitive motivations and post-treatment outcomes

IntroductionSubstance use treatment outcomes are challenging to predict: myriad potentially relevant factors influence outcomes, including age, sex, motivations, and history of victimization. MethodsThe current study seeks to assess these factors in adolescents through an evaluation of the relationship between distinct victimization profiles, sex, and cognitive factors related to substance use treatment outcomes—specifically motivation, self-efficacy, and reasons for quitting—and the relationship between these factors and posttreatment outcomes. We report sex differences in the prevalence of specific types of victimization; females are more likely than males to report poly-victimization alongside higher levels of traumagenic characteristics such as fearing for your life, chronic abuse, abuse by a trusted individual, or negative reactions to disclosure. ResultsAdolescents who endorsed high levels of poly-victimization and high traumagenic characteristics reported a) higher motivation for treatment, b) more reasons for quitting substance use, c) lower self-efficacy, and d) fewer adjusted days abstinent posttreatment relative to their peers. We report several sex differences: emergent poly-victimization profiles are different for males and females, class membership has a differential proportion, and, last, associations between class membership and pre-treatment cognitive motivations and posttreatment outcomes vary by sex. ConclusionClinicians working with adolescents who report poly-victimization should aim to leverage their motivation and reasons for quitting, as these factors are traditionally associated with positive outcomes. Last, interventions aimed at fostering self-efficacy may also be particularly important to improve long-term outcomes, specifically among adolescents with a history of poly-victimization.

Bullying, cyberbullying, and youth health behaviors

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of bullying and cyberbullying victimization on youth health behaviors (smoking, drinking, drugs, sexual intercourse) since the literature has not evaluated within the same framework whether bullying on school grounds and cyberbullying have distinct effects on such behaviors. Using within law heterogeneity in anti‐(cyber)bullying laws during 2011–2019, I jointly estimate the decision to adopt a health (dis)accumulating behavior along with a multivariate treatment into four victimization groups: no victimization, bullying only at school, only cyberbullying, both bullying and cyberbullying. Identification of students who face one of the four distinct victimization types reveals heterogeneous effects: cyberbullying has stronger deleterious effects than bullying, and students who experience both accumulate even less health capital. Interestingly, female students respond to victimization by increasing their participation in addictive health behaviors (smoking, excess drinking, marijuana, other illicit drugs), whereas male students are prone to engaging in riskier sexual behaviors (multiple sex partners, unprotected sex). These effects remain even after accounting for mediating effects of student depression and truancy suggesting that public policies should invest in strategies to educate the student's social environment (peers, teachers, parents) about their role in preventing (cyber)bullying and in providing effective counseling for victimized students.

Victimization profiles in girls involved in the juvenile justice system: A latent class analysis

BackgroundPrevious research has demonstrated that youth involved in the juvenile justice system endorse diverse patterns of victimization. However, previous research investigating victimization profiles among youth involved in the juvenile justice system has primarily consisted of boys. ObjectiveThis study investigated victimization profiles and correlates of victimization exposure, including posttraumatic stress symptoms and risk behaviors, in a sample of girls involved in the juvenile justice system. Participants and SettingParticipants were 245 girls involved in the juvenile justice system (Mage = 15.57, SD = 1.13) participating in a dating violence prevention program. The sample was racially diverse, and 48 % self-identified as Hispanic/Latina. MethodPrior to participating in the intervention, participants completed self-report measures of adversity and victimization exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and risk behaviors. ResultsResults of latent class analysis identified three distinct victimization profiles. The first class (n = 106) was characterized by low levels of victimization. The second class (n = 98) experienced predominantly emotional victimization (i.e., emotional dominant). The third class (n = 41) was characterized by exposure to polyvictimization (i.e., polyvictimization predominant). Girls categorized into the polyvictimization dominant class evidenced the greatest levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms, substance use, suicidal behaviors, and sexual risk behaviors. ConclusionsGirls involved in the juvenile justice system report distinct patterns of victimization, which are differentially associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms and risk behaviors. The present study underscores the importance of implementing trauma-informed assessment and intervention practices within juvenile justice systems.

Identifying Poly-Victimization Among Prisoners: An Application of Latent Class Analysis.

Research suggests that people in prison may be especially vulnerable to victimization and may be more likely to report exposure to multiple types, known as poly-victimization. However, the literature surrounding patterns of victimization among prisoners is limited. Before we can fully understand the variation in victimization experiences among prisoners, a necessary first step is to identify victim profiles within prisons. The current study utilizes data from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities and employs latent class analysis to identify unique victim profiles among prisoners to understand the variation in victimization experiences, with a focus on identifying those exposed to poly-victimization. The findings of this study indicate (a) that there are four distinct victim profiles-poly-victimization (2%), physical victimization in adulthood (31%), physical victimization in childhood (17%), and low/no victimization (49%); (b) that some prisoners experience poly-victimization, although this consists of a small proportion of prisoners; and (c) that there are clear demographic differences between the latent classes, with some of the largest differences among those in the poly-victimization profile. The findings of the current study are important because they add more depth to the knowledge regarding poly-victimization among prisoners, a topic that has received little attention from researchers. The current study suggests that correctional policy may need to be tailored in a way that recognizes the different needs of prisoners who have been exposed to different forms of victimization.

Understanding Cybercrime Victimisation : Modelling The Local Area Variations in Routinely Collected Cybercrime Police Data Using Latent Class Analysis

Numerous factors such as sociodemographic characteristics contribute to cybercrime victimisation. Previous research suggests that neighbourhood plays a role in cybercrime perpetration. However, despite the theoretical importance and particular interest to law enforcement agencies and policymakers, local area variations in cybercrime victimisation have rarely been examined. Drawing on data from recorded cybercrime incidents within one of the largest police forces in England from a three-year period with a victim dataset of 5,270 individuals enhanced by the Census data, this research untangles the relationships between demographics of cybercrime victims and their resident area characteristics. The research considers four types of cybercrime victimisation: ‘Harassment/Unwanted Contact’, ‘Fraud/Theft/Handling’, ‘Sexual/Indecent Images’ and ‘other types of cybercrime’ (classifications used by the participating police force). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was applied to rigorously analyse the relationship among the four different types of cybercrime victimisation with victim demographics and resident area-level characteristics. This research finds that each type of cybercrime yielded statistically distinct victim profiles. Vulnerabilities to cybercrime varied among male and female of different age groups, and importantly, the types of residential areas of the victims. Specifically, it is evident that females were much more likely to become cybercrime victims than males for two types of cybercrime: ‘Harassment/Unwanted Contact’, and ‘Sexual/Indecent Images’. Vulnerabilities associated with these two types of cybercrime decreased with the increase of age. Cybercrime victims of ‘Sexual/Indecent Images’ were likely to be 5-14 year-olds living in areas with a higher number of Level 2, Level 4 qualifications and full-time students. Both males and females were vulnerable to ‘Fraud/Theft/Handling’ cybercrime and their resident areas had a higher number of full-time students, Level 4 qualifications and Asians. Finally, victims of ‘other types of cybercrime’ were most likely to be male and their resident areas had a high number of Asians and full-time students. Our work demonstrates that it is possible to apply statistical analysis to routinely collected police data to gain insight into the cybercrime victimisation that occurs across crime types in relation to demographics and area-level variations. These results provide valuable insights into policing cybercrime in England and beyond.

The Impact of Perspective in Identifying and Responding to Potential Sexual Misconduct: A Study of University Students

Recent events have demonstrated a divergent understanding of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct. Although sociocultural standards regarding sexual misconduct have changed over time, including improved social and workplace standards and protections, it is clear that not everyone views these events through the same lens. The lens is even less clear when potential misconduct is viewed from the distinct perspectives of a “victim” and a “perpetrator.” We surveyed 424 undergraduate and graduate students at Indiana University Kokomo to identify the impact of perspective and various sociodemographic characteristics that may influence perceptions of what is, and is not, sexual misconduct. In addition, we examined if these factors also influence opinions on the severity of response toward this misconduct. Students completed a gender-neutral survey that presented eight potential sexualmisconduct scenarios in a first-person narrative. In each scenario, the fact pattern was identical, but some surveys were in the perspective of the “victim” and some were in the perspective of the “perpetrator.” We find that perspective matters, as do reported preconceived attitudes toward sexual misconduct. We also find preliminary evidence that the impact of perspective and the severity of the response may depend on whether the misconduct occurs in an organizational setting, in a date setting, or without a distinct victim.

Firearms, Violence-Related Injuries, and Victimization Profiles: An Approach Using Cluster Analysis.

The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of nonlethal victims of urban violence by firearms and to describe traumas suffered by victims, according to a medical-legal and forensic perspective. A cross-sectional and exploratory study was conducted at the Center of Forensic Medicine and Dentistry in northeastern Brazil. The sample consisted of 233 victims of urban violence by firearm who presented some type of trauma. Descriptive and multivariate statistics using cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The TwoStep Cluster method was chosen to characterize the profile of victims. The night shift (56.8%) and the period corresponding to Saturdays (20.0%) and Sundays (20.4%) concentrated the largest number of occurrences. Cases of trauma in more than one region of the body simultaneously prevailed (31.8%). Based on the CA results, the formation of two clusters with distinct victimization profiles was verified. Cluster 1 was mostly characterized by younger single victims who suffered violence by firearm in the urban area perpetrated by an unknown perpetrator, resulting in greater occurrence of isolated upper and lower limb traumas. In contrast, Cluster 2 consisted essentially of older, married, or stable-union victims who experienced firearm violence in the suburban area, perpetrated by a known aggressor, resulting in greater occurrence of multiple traumas, that is, affecting several regions of the body at the same time. These findings reveal different risk groups for urban violence by firearms and traumas, contributing to the planning of strategies with emphasis on health care, prevention, and promotion.

Patterns of victimization: A person-centered approach to physical and sexual violence in a representative sample of Danish youth.

Professionals and policy makers have only recently begun to recognize the extent to which different types of victimization are interconnected. To enhance our knowledge of the co-occurrence of physical and sexual violence across childhood and adolescence/early adulthood, the present study investigated distinct typologies of victimization in a sample of adolescents and young adults and explored the relationship between victimization typologies and gender, age, and mental health. Data from the Danish 2013 National Health Survey ("How are you?") were used. Latent class analysis (i.e., a person-centered approach) was used to identify typologies of physical and sexual victimization in a representative sample of 3812 adolescents and young adults aged 16-24 years. Five distinct victimization typologies emerged: a normative, non-victimization group (76%), a physical victimization in adolescence/early adulthood group (13%), a physical revictimization group (5%), a poly-victimization group (4%), and a physical victimization in childhood group (2%). Physical revictimization, poly-victimization, and physical victimization in childhood were highly associated with poor mental health status. Using a latent variable modeling approach, we identified meaningful subgroups of the victimized population. Two subgroups (i.e., physical revictimization and poly-victimization), which comprised a third of all individuals in the victimization subgroups, had a high probability of exposure to multiple traumatic events and poor mental health. These study findings underscore the need to promote interventions addressing the co-occurrence of physical and sexual victimization and the persistence of victimization over time.

Intimate partner violence against women, circumstances of aggressions and oral-maxillofacial traumas: A medical-legal and forensic approach.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that frequently results in oral-maxillofacial traumas, generating high social and economic costs. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of women victims of IPV and determine the pattern of oral-maxillofacial traumas, according to a medical-legal and forensic perspective. An exploratory study of 1361 suspected cases of women victims of IPV was carried out based on database of an Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Dentistry of Northeastern Brazil during a period of 4 years. Medico-legal and social records of victims were searched for information related to sociodemographic data, circumstances of aggressions and trauma patterns. Descriptive and multivariate statistics and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) were performed. Almost half of victims exhibited some oral-maxillofacial trauma resulting from IPV (45.8%). Lesions affecting more than one third of the face (41.3%), especially in soft tissues (96.1%) were the most common. Based on the MCA results, two distinct victimization profiles (P1 and P2) have been identified. P1 was mainly characterized by women aged less than 28 years, living in the urban area, with higher education and working. They were assaulted using physical force in community settings perpetrated by former partner or ex-boyfriend during the night and weekends, resulting in oral-maxillofacial traumas. P2 was mainly composed of women aged over 28 years, living in the suburban or rural areas, with low schooling and who did not work. They were assaulted by firearm or weapon in their own home, perpetrated by their partner or boyfriend during the day and weekdays, resulting in trauma to other body parts. Oral and maxillofacial traumas are very common among women victims of IPV who searched for medical-legal service. In this context, forensic dentists can play a key role during the diagnostic process and should always work together with medical, biochemical and toxicological experts. The findings of this study may contribute to the formulation of evidence-based policies.

Multiple correspondence analysis as a strategy to explore the association between categories of qualitative variables related to oral–maxillofacial trauma and violent crimes at the community level

The main objective of this study was to show the applicability of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) in the detection and representation of underlying structures in large datasets used to investigate oral–maxillofacial lesions. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the analysis of the medical–forensic and social records of 992 people who experienced oral–maxillofacial trauma resulting from non-fatal violent crimes that occurred in the community. Based on the MCA results, two distinct victim profiles were identified. The first profile was characterized by adult men, victims of instruments of violence (such as firearms, knives, or mixed aggression), resulting in severe trauma, mainly affecting the upper or middle third of the face. The second profile was characterized by adolescent and young adult women, victims of aggression using physical force, resulting in soft tissue traumas, mainly affecting the lower third of the face or more than one region at the same time. MCA has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for exploring complex data related to oral–maxillofacial trauma, showing whether there is a relationship and how variables are related. This multivariate method can also be very valuable in the study of several outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery and supporting specialties.

An Examination of Victimization Trajectories Among a Sample of South Korean Adolescents: Risk and Protective Factors

Although a large body of criminological studies have examined trajectories of offending, only a handful of studies have attempted to explore victimization trajectories. The purpose of the current study is to use group-based modeling to explore victimization trajectories among Korean youth and to identify factors that protect and jeopardize victims over the life course. The present study uses data from five waves of Korean Youth Panel Survey (KYPS). Results show three distinct victimization trajectories and identify several risk and protective factors of repeat victimization. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Developmental victimology

Although research on the age–crime curve has made significant advances in the past few decades, the understanding of victimization has not benefited to the same degree. The present study examines the age–victim curve to explore victimization trajectories, which increases understanding of risks over time through different life pathways. Using data from the Offending, Crime and Justice Survey, a national longitudinal survey in England and Wales, trajectory modeling is used to estimate different violent victimization trajectories for people aged 10 to 29 over four years of data. Analyses indicate the presence of four distinct victimization trajectories, including: rarely victimized; young adult victims; childhood victims; and chronically victimized. Further analyses indicated that young adult victims often were connected to intimate partner violence, whereas childhood victims often were victimized by other students.

Stability of cyberbullying victimization among adolescents: Prevalence and association with bully–victim status and psychosocial adjustment

The aims of this study were as follows: (a) to examine the possible presence of an identifiable group of stable victims of cyberbullying; (b) to analyze whether the stability of cybervictimization is associated with the perpetration of cyberbullying and bully–victim status (i.e., being only a bully, only a victim, or being both a bully and a victim); and (c) to test whether stable victims report a greater number of psychosocial problems compared to non-stable victims and uninvolved peers. A sample of 680 Spanish adolescents (410 girls) completed self-report measures on cyberbullying perpetration and victimization, depressive symptoms, and problematic alcohol use at two time points that were separated by one year. The results of cluster analyses suggested the existence of four distinct victimization profiles: “Stable-Victims,” who reported victimization at both Time 1 and Time 2 (5.8% of the sample), “Time 1-Victims,” and “Time 2-Victims,” who presented victimization only at one time (14.5% and 17.6%, respectively), and “Non-Victims,” who presented minimal victimization at both times (61.9% of the sample). Stable victims were more likely to fall into the “bully–victim” category and presented more cyberbullying perpetration than the rest of the groups. Overall, the Stable Victims group displayed higher scores of depressive symptoms and problematic alcohol use over time than the other groups, whereas the Non-Victims displayed the lowest of these scores. These findings have major implications for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing cyberbullying and its consequences.

A Latent Class Analysis of Victimization Among Middle and High School Students in California

School victimization is associated with negative social-emotional outcomes and risky behaviors. Most studies have provided definitions and measures of victimization, depicting a limited characterization of victimization in schools. More nuanced analyses of school victimization are needed to assess the heterogeneous pattern of victimization in schools. The current study explored distinct victimization configurations in a diverse sample of 418,483 middle and high school students in California, utilizing latent class analyses to account for type and frequency of victimization. The results uncover four classes of victimization, including frequent verbal, physical, and sexual victimization; occasional verbal and physical victimization; verbal and sexual victimization; and no victimization. Older age was associated with a lower likelihood of frequent verbal, sexual, and physical victimization and African American youth were more likely to be classified in this class. Females were more likely to be in the verbal and sexual victimization class than males.

Substance use predictors of victimization profiles among homeless youth: A latent class analysis

Although a substantial body of literature demonstrates high prevalence of street victimization among homeless youth, few studies have investigated the existence of victimization classes that differ on the type and frequency of victimization experienced. Nor do we know how substance use patterns relate to victimization classes. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we examined the existence of victimization classes of homeless youth and investigated substance use predictors of class membership utilizing a large purposive sample (N=601) recruited from homeless youth-serving host agencies in three disparate regions of the U.S. Results of the LCA suggest the presence of three distinct victimization profiles – youth fit into a low-victimization class, a witness class, or a high-victimization class. These three victimization classes demonstrated differences in their substance use, including rates of substance abuse/dependence on alcohol and/or drugs. The presence of distinct victimization profiles suggests the need for screening and referral for differential services.

A Latent Class Approach to Examining Forms of Peer Victimization.

There is growing interest in gender differences in the experience of various forms of peer victimization; however, much of the work to date has used traditional variable-centered approaches by focusing on scales or individual forms of victimization in isolation. The current study explored whether there were discrete groups of adolescents who experience distinct forms of peer victimization by bullying (e.g., physical, verbal, relational) among middle and high school-age youth, and whether membership in a particular victimization group was associated with internalizing problems and aggression. Latent class analyses examining 10 different forms of victimization were conducted on a diverse sample of middle school (n = 11,408) and high school (n = 5,790) students. All forms of victimization were less common among high school students, except cyberbullying and sexual comments/gestures. The analyses revealed that there were 4 distinct victimization patterns for middle school students (Verbal and Physical; Verbal and Relational; High Verbal, Physical, and Relational; and Low Victimization/Normative), whereas high school students fell into a similar pattern with the exception of a Verbal and Physical class. These patterns of victimization were functionally associated with co-occurring internalizing problems and aggression. There were also some notable gender and developmental differences in the pattern of victimization and its relation with adjustment problems. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex patterns of peer victimization that are experienced by middle and high school students. Implications for educational researchers and school-based bullying interventions are discussed.

A differential phenomenology of stalking

Stalking is a complex social phenomenon which can take on many different forms. In this article, efforts are made to reduce the multiplicity of heterogeneous patterns of stalking victimization to a small number of distinct victimization profiles. Based on a survey of Austrian stalking victims, a typology of stalking profiles is developed that reflects the different phenotypes of stalking victimization in terms of the behavioural components of the incidents. A latent class analysis identifies four types of stalking victimization that differ significantly in their determinants and their impact on the victim’s well-being and quality of life.

Assessment of the structural validity of the domestic violence healthcare providers' survey questionnaire using a Nigerian sample

:Background: There has been increased advocacy to involve healthcare providers in the prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) through screening for it in healthcare. Yet, only one in ten providers screen for IPV, suggesting barriers. Understanding the readiness of healthcare providers to screen for IPV is therefore paramount. The Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scales (DVHPSS) is a previously validated, comprehensive scale to study readiness of healthcare providers to screen for IPV. However, an understanding of its usefulness in the Sub-Saharan African context remains elusive. The current study undertook to examine the structural validity of the DVHPSS in Nigeria. Methods: Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's Alpha were run to reveal the factorial structure and reliability of the instrument/subscales respectively. Established thresholds were used to determine significant factor loadings and alphas coefficient. Results: A six factor model emerged, with 2 factors similar to the original scale, another two differing slightly and a further two factors resulting from a splitting up of the original combination of victim/provider safety to having distinct victim and provider safety subscales. Conclusions: With slight modifications, the DVHPSS can be use to study IPV screening among Nigerian healthcare professionals. Introducing screening protocols could promote better understanding of crucial questions that were lost in the analysis.

Latent Profile Approach to Duration of Stalking

Stalking behavior and victim-stalker relationship are often the principal known factors in a stalking case. Thus, they are of great importance when trying to identify factors contributing to stalking duration. The present study aims to identify distinct subgroups of stalking victims based on measures of behavioral stalking dimensions. These victim subgroups, stalking dimensions, and victim-stalker relationship are examined in relation to stalking duration. Using a sample of 137 university students, latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed five distinct victim subgroups based on stalker behavior dimensions: surveillance, low-profile, social lurker, wide scope, and baseline stalkers. The subgroups were significantly related to stalking duration and explained a considerable amount of the variance along with the stalking dimensions and victim-stalker relationship. Connections to stalking literature and utility of person-orientated methods in stalking research are discussed.