Poly-Victimization and Psychosocial Adjustment Among African American Adolescents

• In Event: Youth Victimization: Diverse Contexts and Psychosocial Consequences

Abstract

Introduction

Victimization during adolescence is an increasingly reported phenomenon; recent studies indicate that approximately 80% of adolescents report experiencing some type of victimization in their lifetime (Turner, Finkelhor, & Ormrod, 2010). However, few researchers have tackled the issue of poly-victimization, or exposure to multiple forms of victimization and how this impacts adolescents (Turner et al., 2010). Not taking into account multiple forms of victimization can ignore the cumulative impact of different forms of victimization.
The studies that have examined poly-victimization have included large groups of adolescents, but few have examined the unique experience of underrepresented youth. The limited literature suggests that African-American youth appear to be at a higher risk for victimization (Holt & Espelage, 2005) and experience higher rates of victimization than their counterparts (Peskin et al., 2006; Anderson, 2002; Brown & Bzostek, 2003).
This study examined multiple types of victimization experiences among African-American adolescents. K-means cluster analysis was used to create victim subtypes, in an effort to identify different profiles. Differences among clusters were assessed by looking at anger, depression, and alcohol and drug use. Taking a cumulative stress theory approach, it was hypothesized that poly-victimization will have a non-linear relationship with anger, depression, and alcohol and drug use.

Methods

Participants included 468 middle school students (grades 5-7) who identified as African-American from four schools in a mid-western county. Participants completed a survey including demographic variables and scales assessing peer victimization, sexual harassment victimization in school and outside of school, general family violence, parental violence, and sibling aggression, all with excellent internal reliability.

Results

K-means cluster analysis was used to create victim subtypes to reflect the importance of considering that many students have been victimized across multiple domains. A 4-factor solution was found and consisted of the following groups: (A) no victimization history (n = 312; 67%), low scores on all victimization scales, (B) students who report only having family turmoil, for instance a family that yells, quarrels, and fights one another (n = 58; 12%); (C) students who report having family turmoil, has been sexually and physically abused, has witnessed domestic violence and reports high level of sibling aggression (n = 73; 16%); and (D) students who report high levels of all forms of victimization except for parental violence (n = 25; 5%). An overall MANOVA effect was found for cluster membership; univariate analyses indicated that groups differed on anger, depression, and alcohol and drug use (p <.01), where generally youth in Cluster A reported less negative outcomes than other clusters. Youth who experienced the most victimization (Clusters C and D) had the highest levels of anger. Pairwise comparisons also indicated that adolescents in Clusters C (family, parental violence) and D (peer and family violence) are not significantly different in terms of depression or alcohol and drug use.

Conclusion

Research including minority youth can shed light on potential developmental outcomes that may be unique to underrepresented youth experiencing different types of victimization. This research can help inform practitioners and the development of intervention and prevention programs.

Author

• Lily Ortega, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign