Victimization Experiences Research Articles

Sleep disturbance and social reward processing as characteristics linking minority victimization and suicidal ideation in youth

Adolescence is characterized by heightened sleep disturbances (e.g., poor sleep quality and irregular/insufficient sleep) and sensitivity to social feedback that may exacerbate suicidal ideation (SI). Victimization experiences (e.g., bullying, humiliation) can contribute to sleep disturbances and SI, particularly among minoritized youth (e.g., sexual/gender, racial/ethnic minorities). However, sensitivity to social reward, despite social challenges, may buffer against the effects of victimization on sleep and SI. In a diverse sample of youth at varying suicide risk, we examined sleep disturbance as a mediator of victimization and SI, and if neural response to social reward moderated the link between victimization and sleep disturbance. Ninety eight youth (14–22 years old; 50% sexual and/or racial/ethnic minority) with varying SI severity provided self-report data on past-six-month identity-related victimization, past-week sleep disturbance, and past-month SI. Seventy four youth completed an fMRI task involving receipt of social feedback. Region-of-interest analyses examined ventral striatum (VS) activity during positive feedback. Mediation and moderation effects were examined using linear regressions. Sleep disturbance mediated the association between identity-related victimization and SI: higher victimization was associated with worse sleep disturbance, predicting more severe SI. Moderation analyses revealed a positive association between victimization and sleep disturbance at lower but not higher levels of VS response to social reward. Sleep disturbance occurring in the context of social stress heightens vulnerability for SI, particularly among minoritized youth. Greater neural sensitivity to social reward buffers against the effects of victimization on sleep, with implications for mitigating SI. Findings suggest potential mechanisms and individual difference factors underlying minority health disparities.

Unveiling the Hidden Strain: Exploring Second Victim Phenomenon among Critical Care Nurses

Background Critical care nurses work in a highly stressful and challenging environment that demands swift decisions in life-threatening situations. Moreover they are susceptible to experiencing emotional distress and psychological strain, particularly following adverse events or medical errors. This phenomenon, known as the second victim phenomenon, has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to its significant impact on healthcare provider’s well-being and the quality of patient care. It is estimated that approximately half of all healthcare providers experience its impact at least once during their professional career. If not addressed, second victims can face long-term career sequelae such as changing roles or leaving the chosen profession prematurely. Aim: The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of second victim phenomenon among critical care nurses with a focus on understanding its underlying manifestations, and implications on nursing practice. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 108 critical care nurses. Standardised Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST), a self-reported semi structured questionnaire, was used and data was collected using Google form from critical care nurses across various multispecialty hospitals. Ethical considerations: The study obtained research ethics approval, and all participants were informed of the voluntary and anonymous nature of their participation. Results/Findings: The study findings indicate that a majority (65%) of nurses had ICU experience of 5 years and above, with the remaining 35% having 1-5 years of experience. Notably, 68% of nurses reported experiencing second victim syndrome, with prevalent symptoms including guilt (78%), anxiety (53%), self-directed anger (25%), and reduced self-confidence (78%) following unanticipated errors or near-miss events. Also 35% of nurses reported physical distress, 20% reported absenteeism post event, 9% of them showed turnover intention. Second victims also reported support systems as an imperative part of the recovery process after an adverse event occurs, especially through peer support, emotional support, and informational support. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study underscores the significant impact of second victim syndrome on critical care nurses, with a notable proportion reporting its occurrence and the need for targeted interventions and second victim support programs to promote the well-being of nurses in high-stress environments. Through “YOU Matter” Program during induction period novice nurses must be made aware of the support system available to promote wellbeing of nurses.

Neural correlates of vicarious reward processing and peer victimization experiences in late childhood.

This preregistered study examined the neural correlates of vicarious reward processing and subsequent trust behavior in relation to experiences of victimization averaged over two years in late childhood. This study used a sample of children with prospective longitudinal data on peer victimization over the past two years (nbehavioral = 83, 49.4 % girls, Mage = 10.6 years, nfmri = 62). Participants played an fMRI vicarious reward task in which they could win or lose money for themselves and two other peers. The two other peers were experimentally manipulated to either include or exclude the participant in a Cyberball task prior to the task. Additionally, trust in the two peers was assessed using a one-shot trust game. Results revealed ventral striatum activation when winning (versus losing) for oneself, and activation in the dmPFC, vmPFC and precuneus when playing for excluders rather than for oneself. Victimization predicted decreased ventral striatum activation during personal rewards, and increased activation in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex when playing for excluders rather than for oneself. Finally, averaged victimization was associated with increased differentiation in trust toward the including and excluding peers. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of the social cognitions and behaviors of victims of bullying.

범죄피해평가보고서에 나타난 학교폭력 피해 발생 및 재피해 보호요인에 대한 반복적 비교분석

This study identified the psychosocial aspects of school violence victimization & revictimization and found protective factors for revictimization based on the victim assessment reports and derived interventions to help school violence victims recover and return to their daily lives. Six school violence victim assessment reports from Chungcheong-do during the last 2 years were used. Open coding, primary and secondary categorization, and category confirmation were performed for the constant comparative analysis. As a result, psychological victimization experiences were categorized into 7 primary factors and 9 secondary factors: avoidance, re-experience (psychological distress & automatic re-experiencing), anxiety about retaliation (negative thoughts & recalling previous school violence experience), somatization symptoms, sleep problems (insomnia & nightmares), fear (fear of the perpetrator & fear due to spreading negative thoughts), and anger against the perpetrator (resenting the perpetrator's lack of remorse). Second, the social victimization experience was categorized into 3 primary factors and 5 secondary factors: public avoidance (social avoidance & distrust), academic problems (side effects of recovery & difficulty in concentrating due to psychological issues), and family problems (anxiety about family members). Third, the re-victimization experience was categorized into 1 primary factor and 3 secondary factors (re-victimization experience (unwanted contact, threats & unwanted environmental change), and finally, the protective factors were categorized into three primary factors and four secondary factors including interpersonal relationships (positive friendships), separation from perpetrators (school measures), and external help (reporting & psychotherapy). Based on the findings, priorities on school violence victims intervention and protective policies were discussed.

대학생의 부모애착이 사이버불링에 미치는 영향에서 도덕적 정체감과 피해자 정의민감성의 이중매개효과

Objectives This study analyzes the double mediating effects of moral identity and victim justice sensitivity in the relationship between parent’s attachment and cyberbullying in university students, reveals a path to find the causal variables of cyberbullying, and provides specific intervention and treatment in university student cyberbullying counseling and treatment. The purpose is to find a solution. Methods 300 university students across the country were selected as research subjects, and correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between measurement variables using the SPSS 23.0 program and AMOS to confirm the suitability of the research model and the path coefficients between latent variables. In addition, bootstrapping was used to verify the significance of the direct and indirect effects as well as the significance of the double mediating effect of moral identity and victim justice sensitivity. Results The research results are as follows. First, the significant mediating effect of moral identity was verified in the relationship between parent’s attachment and cyberbullying among university students. Second, the significant mediating effect of victim justice sensitivity in the relationship between university students‘ parent’s attachment and cyberbullying was tested. Lastly, a significant double mediating effect of moral identity and victim justice sensitivity was found in the relationship between university students‘ parent’s attachment and cyberbullying. Conclusions Through this study, we provide evidence that parent’s attachment, moral identity, and victim justice sensitivity have a significant impact on university students' cyberbullying, thereby reducing the cyberbullying victimization and victimization experiences of university students by providing parent education and education and counseling programs in various settings. It is significant in that it provided basic data for this purpose.

The effects of risky behaviors and social factors on the frequency of fraud victimization among known victims

Abstract Background and Objectives Routine activity theory (RAT) asserts that a suitable target’s exposure to a motivated offender in the absence of capable guardians increases their likelihood of crime victimization. We use these principles to assess the extent to which engaging in risky routine activities—e.g., entering sweepstakes drawings, answering unknown calls—is associated with victimization frequency among older adult mass marketing fraud victims across five types of scams: investment fraud, sweepstakes and lottery fraud, romance and family/friend imposter scams, fake products and services, and charity scams. We also examine whether financial and social vulnerability characteristics (loneliness, preference for taking financial risks, financial fragility) are associated with victimization frequency in older adults. Research Design and Methods A survey was administered to households that the United States Postal Inspection Service identified as having recently responded to one or more mail scam solicitations. Respondents answered questions on their behaviors, financial risk preferences, social and demographic characteristics, and number of past year victimization experiences with five types of fraud. Results As predicted based on RAT, routine activities that increase a target’s exposure to motivated offenders are positively associated with fraud victimization frequency, although more frequent online activity was negatively associated with victimization frequency contrary to hypotheses. Precarious financial and emotional states such as financial fragility and loneliness also were associated with greater victimization frequency, and more frequent social engagement and living with others (the presence of capable guardians) had no effect. Discussion and Implications Target suitability factors such as loneliness, financial fragility, and risky financial preferences and behaviors are associated with a higher frequency of fraud victimization among older adults. Consumer education should include information on reducing risky behaviors that can increase fraud exposure. More frequent social engagement may not be protective. Older adults who are financially fragile and experiencing loneliness require more safeguards.

The Effects of the Victim Experience of Marital Violence on Suicide Thinking: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Self-esteem

The Effects of the Victim Experience of Marital Violence on Suicide Thinking: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Self-esteem

Understanding the Agony of Child Brides from Low Resource Family Settings in Nigeria: Implication for Social Work Engagement

The involvement of under-18s in legal unions has become a topical human rights concern. It appears to be more prevalent among female children from low-resource family settings, manifesting as another shade of gender inequality. The consequences of child marriages are enormous, affecting the psychosocial, physical and health status of victims. This study details the experiences of victims of child marriages, with concerns about females from low-resource family settings in Nigeria. The study employed a qualitative method of data collection utilizing Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to elicit data from 12 female participants who are currently married and aged below 18 years and four renowned women residing in the community who are conversant with the issue in Enugu, Nigeria. Findings revealed that child marriage still prevails, though with the full consent of some girls, whereas others were lured. The result suggests that child marriage is adopted as a cover-up strategy by parents when dealing with poverty/teenage pregnancy. Other factors exacerbating child marriage were social norms, family size, structure, ignorance, deception, lack of support services and poverty level. Identified consequences of child marriage were health hazards, physical, emotional and financial difficulties. Coping strategies used by victims of child marriage were attending religious gatherings, adopting traditional medication/birth control methods and engaging in petty income-yielding businesses. Assistance for child brides came only from religious groups and good-spirited community members. Social workers’ engagement in the fight towards ending child marriage in Nigeria was not visible owing to poor involvement in child protection services. The study therefore recommends intensified efforts by social workers and the Nigerian government to enforce policies that will protect the girl-child, challenge the social norms and mitigate gender-based discrimination and violence. Government and non-governmental organizations in collaboration with social workers should brace-up efforts to ensure that welfare packages trickle down to child brides and ultimately end child marriage in Nigeria.

Identifying adolescents’ victimization experiences: a latent profile analysis approach

AbstractThis study investigates the profiles of students involved in different forms of victimization using a person-centered approach. It examines the associated psychosocial characteristics, including bullying perpetration, peer support, self-perceived personality, loneliness, social self-concept, and negative affect. A sample of 2081 students (59% girls; Mage = 15.49, SD = 1.51) was analyzed. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three distinct profiles based on experiences of verbal, relational, and cyber victimization: nonvictims (89.8%), moderate victims (5.3%), and severe victims (4.9%). The analysis revealed significant differences among the profiles, with severe victims exhibiting the poorest psychosocial outcomes, characterized by high levels of loneliness, negative affect, and poor social self-concept. Moderate victims showed similarities to nonvictims in most characteristics, yet their role in bullying perpetration suggests they might be bully-victims. Nonvictims demonstrated the most favorable psychosocial profile. These findings indicate that victimization experiences are heterogeneous, with severe victims being the most negatively impacted. The study highlights the importance of differentiating between levels of victimization in research and practice to better address the needs of affected students. Future research should further explore the nuanced roles of moderate victims and the implications for intervention strategies.

Personal resilience, good leadership, and a psychologically safe culture play a mitigating role on the impact of patient safety events.

To assess the impact of patient safety events on veterinary professionals and identify factors influencing their responses. This was an experimental study, wherein a total of 2,182 veterinary professionals in the US, including veterinarians, technicians, assistants, client service providers, and managers/directors, were given an anonymous online survey utilizing the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool, Brief Resilience Scale, and Team Psychological Safety Scale. The majority of participants reported having experienced at least 1 patient safety event within the last 12 months. This number was highest for veterinarians (79%), followed by managers/directors (74%) and veterinary technicians (67%). Approximately 50% of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants who reported being involved in a patient safety event indicated at least 1 of these events caused serious harm. The majority of those involved in a patient safety event reported that they talked to their supervisor about the incident (79% of veterinarians, 83% of veterinary technicians, and 83% of veterinary assistants). The most desired types of support participants wanted after a patient safety event included access to a respected peer to discuss the details of what happened (71%), a specified peaceful location available to recover and recompose (64%), and an employee assistance program that provides free counseling (61%). Patient safety events significantly impacted veterinary professionals' well-being and career intentions. Enhancing personal resilience, developing and promoting transformational leadership training programs, and fostering a psychologically safe team culture can mitigate negative effects and improve overall patient safety.

Recent Advances in the Study of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is a frequent but not ubiquitous part of warfare, affecting not only survivors but also their families and wider communities. This thematic review describes advances in research on CRSV, reviews new developments in the literature, and proposes recommendations for future study. An increasing number of studies consider how to address methodological and ethical research challenges, how understudied victim/survivor groups as well as families and communities are affected by CRSV, how survivor-centered justice mechanisms can be developed to reduce impunity, and how CRSV is perceived by different actors. Research is expanding to deepen and nuance knowledge on CRSV, particularly on CRSV by rebel groups and the experiences of diverse victims. The research community is also growing more diverse. Remaining challenges exist, in particular regarding data and measurement, justice and accountability, and violations by state-affiliated actors.

Urban Disaster Governance and Experiences of Earthquake Beyond the Disaster Region

When a disaster occurs, attention is immediately focused on the affected region and continues throughout the recovery process. However, social groups beyond the region are often overlooked. After the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Turkey on 6 February 2023, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to relocate to different parts of the country. The capital, Ankara, quickly became the preferred destination for these forced migrations, turning it into a hub for those so displaced. This study examines the experiences of earthquake victims in a city located far from an earthquake zone. A convenience sample of 531 individuals affected by the disaster and residing in Ankara was selected. Respondents from various cities in the earthquake region, with a range of levels of education, age, and occupational backgrounds, participated in the survey. Ankara was chosen as a destination due to its safety in terms of earthquake, health, and education opportunities. The experiences of individuals following the earthquake vary significantly depending on whether they live at home, in a dormitory, or in a guest house. Those affected by the earthquake used different strategies to manage the crisis, as based on their social and economic status.

Victims of religious hate crime: Victimisation of Muslims, Jews and Hindus compared

The surge in Hate Crime within the United Kingdom has disproportionately impacted religious communities, particularly Muslims, Jews and Hindus. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of hate crimes targeting these three religious groups in the United Kingdom. Through qualitative interviews with victims, the study aims to analyse their immediate response following the victimisation. Drawing insights from 30 individual interviews and three focus groups, the research uniquely combines three distinct religious groups for comparative analysis, revealing both commonalities and differences in their victimisation experiences. Findings highlight the pervasive nature of victimisation, emphasising community visibility and perceived safety. Notably, collective responsibility is evident among Muslim and Jewish participants. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of challenges faced by victims, emphasising the need for robust law enforcement measures.

Empowering Recovery: Evaluating The Reintegration Strategies for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Baguio

Sexual child abuse is a critical global issue requiring immediate intervention. While existing research has primarily focused on detection and prevention, the post-rescue experiences of victims are often neglected. This study examines the practices of CFSPI Baguio Chapter in facilitating the reintegration of child sexual abuse survivors into their communities. It aims to identify the reintegration protocols used and the challenges faced by CFSPI staff in implementing these protocols. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive design, insights will be gathered from experienced staff through unstructured interviews and analyzed via thematic coding.Preliminary findings indicate that CFSPI employs structured reintegration protocols, including family assessments, gradual transitions, and after-care services. However, challenges such as inadequate support from local government units (LGUs), lack of family preparedness, and community resource limitations hinder effective implementation and pose risks to survivors' safety. While organizations like CFSPI have established robust protocols to facilitate this reintegration process, without the active involvement of LGUs and community resources, reintegrated children remain vulnerable to exploitation and revictimization.Thus,a thorough review of existing case management protocols is necessary to confirm their relevance in addressing Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and to assess local coordination mechanisms. Collaborations between LGUs, DSWD, mental health professionals, and NGOs are essential for conducting reintegration workshops that equip families with skills to support children who have experienced trauma. Furthermore, financial literacy workshops should be provided to families of reintegrated children, alongside sustainable livelihood programs to promote financial independence. As families become more self-sufficient, LGUs and DSWD should gradually reduce external assistance, fostering independent coping strategies. Finally, future research should focus on gathering insights from LGUs involved in the reintegration process at the barangay level.

Angry or neutral, it does not matter to me: Implicit processing of facial emotions is not related to peer victimization experiences.

The aim of this study was to examine whether prolonged victimization relates to differential processing of emotions. Based on the social information processing theory, it was hypothesized that prolonged victimization would modulate emotion processing, such that victimization relates to a heightened attentional focus toward negative facial expressions and increased amygdala activation in response to negative facial expressions. We targeted a unique sample of 83 children (Mage = 10.6, 49.4% girls) whose victimization history in the past 2 years was available. An Emotional Dot-Probe Task and an Emotion Processing fMRI Task were administered to the participants. Findings included that victimization did not relate significantly to a heightened attentional focus on happy, angry, or fearful expressions. Viewing facial expressions resulted in the activation of the posterior medial frontal cortex, bilateral insula, bilateral fusiform face area, and the right amygdala and hippocampus, which was not related to victimization, nor was victimization related to activation in the amygdala or the social brain regions (medial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction, precuneus, posterior superior temporal sulcus) when viewing specific emotional (happy, angry, afraid, sad) expressions. Together, these results do not provide evidence that implicit emotion processing without social context relates to victimization. Future research should replicate these results and further examine emotion processing in relation to severe victimization experiences and support systems, such as friendships or parenting, on emotion processing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Secure base script knowledge and friendship quality as protective factors for bullying and victimization in elementary school.

This study examined how children's secure base script knowledge and friendship quality were related to bullying and victimization experiences and their emotional, academic, and behavioral adjustment. Participants were 581 children (49.6% males) aged 9 to 13 years old and one of their main caregivers (74% mothers, 23.6% fathers, 2.4% legal guardians) recruited through cluster sampling in Singapore. Most of the children were ethnic Chinese (58.2%), along with Malays, Indians, and Others (e.g. Eurasians). Children's secure base script knowledge was related to less bullying and victimization, which in turn was related to greater positive emotional state, better academic achievement, less aggression, and fewer social problems. Friendship quality did not add unique variance, highlighting the central protective role of attachment representation in the context of school bullying. The findings provide support for the security-competence link in an Asian context, and point to the importance of enhancing children's familial experiences as part of preventive efforts in combating school bullying.

Causal Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Condom Negotiation Skills of Women with Varying Sexual Assault Histories.

Sexual assault victimization experience and alcohol consumption are well-documented HIV risk factors for women who have sex with men (WSM). Nonetheless, behavioral mechanisms of the synergistic effects of these factors on women's increased HIV risk are not well delineated. This study is the first to examine the interactive effects of sexual assault history and acute intoxication on women's condom negotiation behavior during a face-to-face role-play with a male actor. Participants were female, single, social drinkers, ages 21 to 35, recruited from the community. Women were categorized as having experienced past sexual assault victimization or not based on their questionnaire responses, then were randomly assigned to consume either no alcohol or alcohol (0.08 target BAC) and engaged in a role-play with a male actor that included condom use negotiation. Participants' verbal, paraverbal, and nonverbal behavior was video recorded and coded by independent raters. As hypothesized, sexual assault history interacted with alcohol condition to significantly influence participants' assertive condom negotiation behavior. These results further our scientific understanding of how intoxication may exacerbate the relationship between sexual assault history and HIV risk, and can inform prevention programs tailored to the unique needs of WSM who have a history of sexual assault victimization and are social drinkers.

Supplemental Material for Angry or Neutral, It Does Not Matter to Me: Implicit Processing of Facial Emotions Is Not Related to Peer Victimization Experiences

Supplemental Material for Angry or Neutral, It Does Not Matter to Me: Implicit Processing of Facial Emotions Is Not Related to Peer Victimization Experiences

Genetic and environment influences on childhood victimization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Childhood victimization is a key risk factor for poor mental and physical health. In order to prevent childhood victimization, it is important to better understand its underlying etiological factors. Childhood victimization is not randomly distributed in the population but occurs more often in the context of certain characteristics of the child, the family, and the broader environment. These characteristics may be both genetically and environmentally influenced, making genetically informative designs valuable to disentangle the etiological factors. Here we performed meta-analyses of the genetic and environmental influences on childhood victimization based on twin studies. We also tested whether genetic and environmental influences on childhood victimization vary depending on key features of victimization experiences including the reporter of victimization experiences, the type of victimization, and the age at exposure. Following PRISMA guidelines, a search for relevant literature was conducted using MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, and Embase databases until September 2023. A meta-analysis based on 21 studies with 62,794 participants showed that genetic influences accounted for 40% of the variance in childhood victimization, shared environmental influences for 20%, and non-shared environmental influences for 40%. In addition, we found that genetic and environmental influences on victimization varied based on the reporter and the type of victimization, and the age at victimization. The quantitative summary of genetic and environmental influences provided by this study advances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying risk for childhood victimization and points to prevention targets for victimization and its health effects.

Digital romance fraud targeting unmarried women

Online romance scams have emerged as a pervasive and damaging form of cybercrime that exploits the vulnerabilities of single women seeking online romantic connections. These scams represent a disturbing manifestation of entrenched patriarchal structures and misogynistic behaviors in the digital realm, reinforcing harmful gender dynamics and stereotypes. This paper presents a comparative analysis of a social impact study examining the victimization of single women in India and South Africa through online romance scams. Drawing from feminist perspectives, this study explores how scammers manipulate emotions and trust to gain financial and sometimes sexual advantages, exacerbating the challenges faced by independent, educated women in finding suitable partners. This qualitative study employed case studies to delve into the experiences of victims and investigate how social media platforms facilitate exploitation and deception. This emphasizes the importance of addressing single women's holistic needs, fostering solidarity groups, and promoting cybersecurity education. This research calls for collective action and collaboration among social media platforms, law enforcement, and policymakers to develop robust strategies to combat these scams. By analyzing the mutating nature of patriarchy and misogyny globally, this study underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic issues that enable the victimization of single women and disempower them economically and emotionally.