Victimization Experiences Research Articles

Relative victimization scale: initial development and retrospective reports of the impact on mental health

BackgroundBullying and victimization have been studied in many contexts and classified as peer victimization in school settings and parental or sibling victimization within family settings. Yet, current research is scarce on whether victimization occurring within family settings is specific to parental or sibling victimization. Thus, the current study aims to develop a scale assessing victimization conducted by relatives and provide support for its psychometric properties.MethodsCross-sectional and longitudinal data were collected from university students (1622 and 1045 students, respectively) and participants responded to questionnaires via an online survey.ResultsEFA and CFA results demonstrated the unidimensionality of the Relative Victimization Scale (RVS) consisting of eight items. In terms of convergent validity, RVS scores were correlated with the scores on parental, sibling, and peer victimization scales and several psychological health outcomes including depression, anxiety, social anxiety, perceived stress, loneliness, negative and positive affect, life satisfaction, and resilience. Moreover, RVS explained a significant amount of variance beyond the contribution of parental, sibling, and peer victimization in those psychological health outcomes for the support of incremental validity.ConclusionsThe findings of the study indicated the potential utility of the RVS in assessing the experience of relative victimization through offering support for internal consistency reliability and construct, longitudinal predictive, and incremental validity.

Stability and change in moral disengagement and bullying participation across three years of Japanese middle school

ABSTRACT The present study investigates the longitudinal relationships between bullying roles (bullying, passive bystanding, victimization) and moral disengagement to examine influences on the shifting role of bullying in Japanese middle school students. Participants were 271 Japanese students (Time 1: M age = 12.72, SD = .45, 136 boys and 135 girls) recruited from two public middle schools (9 classes). Five data collection occasions in Grades 7 to 9 alternated between surveys of self-reported bullying behavior (three timepoints) and moral disengagement (two timepoints). Structural equation modeling showed that moral disengagement was reciprocally related to bullying and passive bystanding. Victimization was only related to moral disengagement in Grade 9, such that moral disengagement in June predicted increased victimization experiences in December. These findings suggest that intervention and prevention programs in schools need to actively address moral disengagement, with a focus on bystanders as well as perpetrators and victims of bullying.

Capturing what statistics miss: Mapping unsafe places and victimization experiences in the City of Granada, Spain

This research assesses safety perceptions and maps unsafe places and victimization experiences of both women and men university students in public spaces throughout Granada city, Spain. Survey data from 383 participants were analyzed, with 413 unsafe places mapped. Statistically, significant gender disparities were found, with women reporting greater insecurity, particularly at night, and experiencing higher frequencies of victimization, notably sexual violence. Spatially, the innovative Perceived Insecurity Points Score (PIPS) emphasizes findings by integrating environmental factors (EF), social factors (SF) and victimization experiences (V), offering a comprehensive assessment of how these factors overlap and influence individuals' experiences. Men identified significantly fewer unsafe locations than women, with only a third acknowledging their existence. Meanwhile, women reported a higher frequency of victimization incidents, particularly involving sexual harassment. The work captures what is often overlooked in official statistics: broader forms of unwanted behavior pose a significant threat to women, extending the shadow of the “hypothesis of sexual assault”.

Examining systemic inflammation as a pathway linking peer victimization to depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Adolescents exposed to victimization are at an increased risk for a variety of adverse mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms. Yet, the biological pathways underlying these associations remain poorly understood. Focusing on within-person processes, we examined whether low-grade systemic inflammation mediated the longitudinal associations between peer victimization and depressive symptoms in adolescence. 207 adolescents (at baseline Mage = 12.69 years; SD = 0.49; 43.5% female) participated in a multi-wave longitudinal study, with assessments repeated every 6 months over 1.5 years. At each assessment wave, participants self-reported their peer victimization experiences and depressive symptoms. Dried blood spots were collected at each wave using a finger prick procedure to assay a key marker of low-grade systemic inflammation, interkeukin-6 (IL-6). Data were analyzed using random-intercept cross-lagged panel models. The cross-lagged paths from IL-6 to depressive symptoms were significant across all models and waves (β12 = .13; β23 = .12; β34 = .08), indicating that when adolescents' levels of low-grade systemic inflammation were above their person-specific average, they reported increased levels of depressive symptoms in the subsequent months. However, no significant cross-lagged within-person associations emerged between peer victimization and either IL-6 or depressive symptoms. The findings provide no evidence for the hypothesized mediating role of inflammation in the within-person associations between peer victimization and depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, they extend prior research by indicating that elevated levels of low-grade systemic inflammation predict the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Exploring Children’s Self-Reports of Victimisation Experiences and Solitary, Prosocial, and Aggressive Behaviours

Young children’s social behaviour plays an important role in their lives. Most research makes use of reports from adults and peers, rather than speaking to young children about their own behaviour. The current study was exploratory and looked at children’s self-reports of solitary, prosocial and aggressive behaviours, and victimisation experiences, during the formative school years. Children aged between four and seven years (n = 193) were recruited from three primary schools. Using an innovative method with stick-figure animations, they were asked to provide frequency ratings of 16 of their own behaviours. Class teachers were also asked to provide ratings for the participating children’s behaviours. Key findings showed that children offer unique insight into their behaviour and experiences. Specifically, children’s self-reports of victimisation experiences are more complex than their teachers; and teachers were found to under-report solitary behaviour in boys in comparison to self-reports. Self-reports of prosocial and aggressive behaviour showed some possible social desirability amongst 6–7-year-olds, but there are also potential situational and gender biases in reports from their teachers. These findings show the importance of including young children’s self-reports in the study of their behaviour.

The gendered trauma trajectories of mothers entering prison

Research has shown that many women involved in the criminal justice system have prior experiences of trauma and victimisation. This paper, based on qualitative narrative research with mothers, identifies the specific gendered trauma trajectories of mothers with experience of custody in England. This includes experiences of domestic abuse, removal of children and issues with perinatal mental health. In many instances, these issues are closely interrelated adding further layers of cumulative impact to the trauma experienced. Drawing on trauma theory and pathways theory, these experiences are then analysed and suggestions for mitigating the impact of this trauma are proposed.

Contesting Identities: The Case of Sidis of Gujarat

The article seeks to explore the contestations about the identity of the Sidis of Gujarat, which is deeply imbricated with experiences of marginalisation and victimisation. Given their African origins, the Sidis are categorised as a diaspora even as they have endeavoured to assert their Schedule Tribe (ST) status in India (a status which so far is segmentally conferred). The association with the diaspora has perpetuated a policy of isolation towards the Sidis and the perception of them as ‘outsiders’. Their aspiration to be identified as ST has been to shift the focus from their diasporic identity and to overcome their historical marginalisation. In this context, the article explores the questions of who the Sidis are, whether are they a diaspora or a tribal community, what ST status means to them, and whether the ST status will aid them in transcending the structural barriers that hinder their integration.

More Than Just a “Bad” Online Experience: Risk Factors and Characteristics of Catfishing Fraud Victimization

ABSTRACT Research focusing specifically on people who have been catfished online, or deceived in some way, but maybe not defrauded out of money is relatively scarce. The current study sought to add to the literature in this area by surveying social media and dating application users about their catfishing victimization experiences (n=1,511). Fourty-four percent had been catfished in the last 5 years. Common characteristics of those who had been catfished include the catfish reaching out first, a short duration of communication, and asking for money, among other characteristics. The lifestyles/routine activities (LRAT) framework and self-control were utilized to examine potential risk factors for catfishing victimization. Both online and offline behaviors were found to influence catfishing risk, suggesting the LRAT can be applied to this type of victimization. Implications for policy application and prevention of catfishing fraud are discussed.

Mapping Multilevel Contributions to the Sexual Victimization of Trans Women and Trans Feminine People: A Qualitative Intersectional Stigma Analysis

ABSTRACT We aimed to characterize and conceptually organize multilevel factors associated with the sexual victimization experiences of trans women and trans feminine people to advance violence prevention interventions for health-equity. Between October 2020 and July 2021, we conducted in-depth interviews with 17 expert informants in New York City, which we transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Qualitative insights were derived through an intensive, team-based iterative coding strategy resulting in the development of an exhaustive set of consensus codes which were organized and interpreted in a multi-level structure. Findings revealed a complex constellation of intersecting macro- and micro-structural mechanisms reinforcing sexual violence. Unique characteristics of this violence were characterized hierarchically in terms of: 1) violence forms (e.g. murder, fetishization), 2) perpetrators (e. g. safety-staff; group assault), 3) contexts (e.g. public accommodations), 4) functions (e.g. gender policing), 5) ideological reinforcers (e.g. transphobia, racism), and 6) structural reinforcers (e.g. legislation; linking access to material means of survival to poverty/illness). Results indicate that acute incidents of sexual victimization are “the tip of the iceberg” of the violence impacting trans communities. The community experts we interviewed (e.g. trans women, violence prevention practitioners, social workers) understand chronic functional, ideological, and structural oppression as inextricable from sexual violence. Multi-level determinants of violence therefore constitute essential targets of sexual violence prevention intervention for this population.

Maternal childhood polyvictimization and neglect of their children: Evidence among Salar Muslim women

BackgroundLimited research has been conducted on child neglect among ethnic minority groups in China. The Salar, a Turkic-Muslim ethnic minority predominantly residing in western China, face unique challenges in this regard. Influenced by their ethnicity, Islam, and Chinese Confucianism, Salar women are particularly vulnerable to various forms of childhood victimization. These victimizations further compound the difficulties they face in providing adequate care for their children. ObjectiveThe 3-D polyvictimization theory introduced three key concepts to measure polyvictimization: invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity. These concepts aim to provide a nuanced understanding of an individual’s victimization experiences. In light of this theory, this study aims to test a hypothesis regarding the relationship between childhood polyvictimization experienced by Salar mothers and the neglect of their children. MethodA probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling approach was used to collect a random representative multi-stage cluster sample of 201 married Salar women in 2022. Random effects Poisson regression models were used to test the five hypotheses. ResultsThe participants reported a 65.6% rate of child neglect, and all the mothers included in the study had a history of childhood polyvictimization. The Poisson regression in the main effect model demonstrated that invasive and exploitative of the childhood polyvictimization are associated with child neglect. Moreover, a two-way interaction between invasiveness and exploitativeness, as well as exploitativeness and severity of the childhood polyvictimization, showed a strong positive association with child neglect. Lastly, a three-way interaction involving invasiveness, exploitativeness, and severity of the childhood polyvictimization was also strongly positively associated with child neglect. ConclusionsThis research indicates that a history of maternal childhood polyvictimization is associated with an increased risk of child neglect, especially when the experiences of polyvictimization involved high levels of invasiveness and exploitativeness. It emphasizes the importance of considering the nuanced nature of polyvictimization in understanding its relationship with child neglect.

Is prior bullying victimization associated with subsequent bullying perpetration? A theoretical framework based on the Threat-Motivation model.

Bullying among adolescents is a global public health issue prevalent in schools, posing significant risks to positive adolescent development. Studies have shown that bullied adolescents tend to engage in more bullying perpetration, but this underlying process of longitudinal correlation has not been fully elucidated. Based on two waves of longitudinal data collected from 347 junior and 144 senior high school students in China (Mage = 13.66 years, SDage = 1.46, 59.27% boys) at 1-year intervals, two moderated chain-mediation models were used to explore the longitudinal correlations between bullying victimization and bullying perpetration and its underlying processes. The results found a significant positive correlation between adolescents' bullying victimization experiences 1 year prior and bullying perpetration 1 year later. Furthermore, fear of negative evaluation and psychache played a longitudinal chain-mediating role in the process, with self-esteem and grade moderating this mediating pathway, either enhancing or weakening the effect. This study demonstrates that prior bullying victimization is longitudinally and positively associated with subsequent bullying perpetration among adolescents. This process is mediated by fear of negative evaluation and psychache, with self-esteem and grade level as moderators. Based on these conclusions, we have formulated the Threat-Motivation Model, offering a framework to understand the relationship between bullying victimization and bullying perpetration. Practical implications, including strategies to reduce bullying in youth groups, are discussed.

Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Japanese Version of Second Victim Experience and Support Tool-Revised.

Healthcare workers involved in, and negatively affected by, patient safety incidents are referred to as second victims. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool-Revised (SVEST-R) can reveal the second victim's degree of negative experiences and the desirability of the support options. However, a Japanese version of the SVEST-R (J-SVESTR) has not yet been developed. This study aimed to translate and adapt the SVEST-R into Japanese and validate its psychometric properties. We performed forward and back translations of the SVEST-R and evaluated its clarity and content validity. Subsequently, we administered a cross-sectional questionnaire survey to evaluate the construct validity, internal consistency, and retest reliability of the J-SVESTR. The J-SVESTR was finalized with clarity and content validity supported by a pilot test and an expert panel. In total, 224 healthcare workers responded to the J-SVESTR survey. The 9 factors and 35 items model indicated an acceptable fit (χ2/df = 1.811, root mean square error of approximation = 0.060, comparative fit index = 0.871, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.854, standardized root mean squared residual = 0.077). Cronbach's α values ranged from 0.68 to 0.85. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.87. The J-SVESTR retained 9 factors and 35 items, with no item changes from the original. The psychometric properties of the J-SVESTR are acceptable. The J-SVESTR can help investigate the actual situation and desired support options for second victims in Japan.

Neighborhood ethnoracial diversity and positive psychotic symptoms among youth at high-risk and healthy comparisons

Neighborhood ethnoracial composition has been associated with schizophrenia, but mechanisms are unclear. This study investigates the moderators and mediators of the association between neighborhood ethnoracial diversity and positive symptoms among youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and healthy comparisons (HC). Data were collected as part of The North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study and included 492 youth at CHR-P and 136 HCs. Neighborhood ethnoracial diversity measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different ethnoracial groups. Attenuated positive symptoms were derived from the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms. Peer victimization and discriminatory experiences were constructed as latent variables. Using structural equation modeling, this study tested the relationship of these variables and included the following covariates: age, sex, neighborhood poverty, and depressive symptoms. Greater neighborhood ethnoracial diversity was associated with reduced positive symptoms among ethnoracial minorities at CHR-P (β=-3.78; 95 % CI [-6.61, -0.84]). Fewer life events of peer victimization (β=-0.13; 95 % CI [-0.24, -0.03]) leading to perceived ethnoracial discrimination (β=0.56; 95 % CI [0.45, 0.67]) mediated 15.06 % of this association. These findings deepen our understanding of the social determinants of psychosis and may help develop effective interventions to prevent psychosis, especially among ethnoracial minority youth at high risk.

Psychological, Physical, and Professional Impact on Second Victims in Veterinary Anaesthesia: A Cross-Sectional International Survey - Part 1

ObjectivesTo investigate the psychological, physical, and professional impact of veterinary patient safety incidents (PSIs) on veterinary anaesthesia professionals. Study designWe conducted an observational cross-sectional survey, inviting veterinary anaesthesiologists, anaesthesiologists in training, and veterinary nurses/technicians through social media platforms from 2nd June–20th of September 2023. The questionnaire was based on the Second Victim Experience and Support Survey (SVEST) and analysed using descriptive statistics and subscale scoring to assess psychological, physical, and professional impacts. ResultsA total of 303 participants from 31 countries responded, including North (24%), Central (13.5%), and South America (25%), Europe (13.2%), UK (12.5%), Australia/New Zealand (8.1%) and Asia/Middle East (3.3%). A participation rate cannot be estimated. All respondents described themselves as second victims, with 70% encountering a PSI in the past 6 months. Of the 303 participants, 75% had direct involvement with the incident. Common post-incident challenges included: an increased awareness for PSIs (67.1%), fear of new PSIs (62.7%), diminished confidence (56.1%), more defensive medicine practice (46.7%), and sleep disorders (43.3%). Additionally, 62.7% agreed or strongly agreed that they experienced embarrassment post-incident. Following a PSI, approximately 69% of the participants reported feeling inadequate in their animal care abilities, and a similar percentage questioned their professional competence. Over half of the respondents (54.6%) became fearful of undertaking high-risk procedures. Approximately 38% of respondents considered leaving the field of anaesthesia, while over 56% harboured thoughts of leaving their job due to the stress from PSIs. Additionally, a significant proportion, 69.8%, reported not taking time off work following PSIs. ConclusionThe study identifies a significant psychological, physical, and professional impact on veterinary anaesthesia professionals, with notable effects on their emotional well-being and professional self-efficacy. The findings emphasize the need for supportive measures and interventions to mitigate the adverse effects experienced by these individuals.

The experience of sexual harassment victims in accessing counseling services at higher education institutions in Samarinda

This study aims to understand the experiences of sexual harassment victims in accessing counseling services at higher education institutions in Samarinda. The research addresses a gap in the literature, as most previous studies have focused more on the legal, sociological, and psychological aspects of sexual harassment but have not deeply explored the experiences of victims in accessing counseling services at the university level. This qualitative phenomenological research employed the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. The participants consisted of four sexual harassment victims from two universities, one public and one religious-based institution. The findings of this study identified three main barriers. First, a lack of information regarding the counseling services available on campus led to delays in seeking help by the victims. Second, feelings of shame prevented victims from accessing counseling services as they were reluctant to share their traumatic experiences. This sense of shame was often exacerbated by fear of being blamed or perceived as overreacting by others, causing victims to keep their experiences to themselves. Third, the fear of social and academic stigma, including concerns about negative judgment from peers and lecturers, particularly if the perpetrator was a faculty member, became a significant obstacle for victims seeking help. Some victims even expressed concerns about the impact on their academic achievements if the incident became public. The study emphasizes the importance of policies that ensure easy access and clear information about counseling services, as well as efforts to reduce stigma, to encourage victims to seek help.

How False Advertising Victims’ Experiences Define Their Online Purchase Decision in Fashion Product? - Comparison between Generations

This research aimed to analyze how the experiences of victims of false advertising in the fashion industry can influence their behavior in online purchasing decisions. This research used quantitative research, which is based on the positivism paradigm. Research data was obtained from consumers in the fashion industry in Indonesia who had experienced advertising fraud, with a sample size of 200 respondents. Research data was then analyzed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with a moderation model. This research also compared the purchasing decision behavior of each generation as control variables. The results of the analysis showed that: exposure to false advertising and perceived risk do not have a significant influence on purchasingdecisions, both in model one and model two, hedonism and impulsive buying behavior have a significant influence on purchase decision, both in model one and two, hedonism and impulsive buying behavior are neither able to strengthen nor weaken the influence of exposure to false advertising and perceived risk on purchase decision, both models and all control variables consisting of age generation, gender and marital status do not havea significant influence on purchase decision.

Urban Black adolescents' victimization experiences: The moderating role of family factors on internalizing and academic outcomes.

This study investigated the moderating role of family factors on victimization experiences and internalizing and academic outcomes. Data (collected 2017-2019) on 471 Black urban ninth graders (51% male; Mage = 14 years) with elevated externalizing symptoms were analyzed and we explored how the interaction between (self-reported) racial socialization, parent relations, and (teacher-reported) family academic involvement and (self-reported) violence exposure, racial discrimination, and (teacher-reported) bullying potentially influenced (student- and teacher-reported) anxiety and depression, and (student-reported) academic engagement and negative school attitudes. High racial socialization and parent relations were associated with lower internalizing symptoms for youth with discrimination and heard violence, respectively. High academic involvement and parent relations were linked with higher internalizing symptoms for youth with discrimination and high parent relations were linked with higher anxiety for bullied youth. Racial socialization and parent relations may help offset the potential influence of discrimination and heard violence, respectively, for adolescents.

Cyber offending in adolescence: The role of knowledge and experiences online on propensity to engage in unauthorised access

Cyber crime is a relatively new but quickly evolving crime type, and there is particular concern about the number of young people becoming involved in cyber crime, who may be at the start of a pathway into more serious and persistent cyber offending. The current study aimed to examine Computer Misuse Act (CMA) experiences and knowledge amongst secondary school pupils. Six-hundred-and-fifty-one pupils in secondary school years 10–13 (ages 14 to 18) took part in one of 29 outreach engagement sessions delivered by police officers. The sessions aimed to deter and divert young people from engaging or persisting in cyber offending and included information about the CMA and the potential consequences of committing CMA offences. Almost a third (30.6%) of pupils who took part reported that they had accessed another person's account without permission, two-thirds (62.5%) reported that they had been booted off a game previously, and 37.6% had experienced a data breech. As predicted, previous experience of online victimisation was associated with a greater likelihood of an individual going onto engage in unauthorised access themselves. Contrary to predictions, there was no association between pupils' online presence (as determined by their use of more than five online services) and engaging in authorised access. Surprisingly, better knowledge of the CMA was associated with an increased likelihood of engagement in unauthorised access. It may be that perceived risk, rather than awareness of illegality, is key, although further research is needed to confirm this. Empirical and policy implications of findings are discussed.

Bullying Victimization, Non-suicidal Self-injury, and Psychotic-like Experiences in Chinese Rural Adolescents: Exploring Transactional Associations

Bullying Victimization, Non-suicidal Self-injury, and Psychotic-like Experiences in Chinese Rural Adolescents: Exploring Transactional Associations

Childhood Sexual Abuse & Sexual Revictimization Among Sexual Minority Men

ABSTRACT Sexual minority (SM) men’s sexual revictimization (SR; i.e. experiences of adult victimization among childhood sexual abuse survivors) is an understudied topic despite evidence that SM men are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence (SV) over the life course. This study addresses this gap utilizing a diverse sample (n = 2859) of SM men (age 18–30) from the U.S. Results demonstrated that over 10% of SM men had experienced SR. Further, strength-based (e.g. sense of LGBTQIA2S+ community) and minority-stress (e.g. internalized homonegativity) related factors were examined as moderators of the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault victimization (ASAV) in the past six months. One factor emerged as a significant moderator of the CSA-ASAV relationship: perceived discrimination. Practice-based implications are provided.