Interpersonal polyvictimization among rural adolescents: A paradigm of bullying-dating violence-sexual assault

• In Event: Youth Bullying and Victimization

Abstract

To better understand the pervasiveness of interpersonal violence within society, special attention needs to be given to the most vulnerable members of the population: adolescents. Yet, there is limited research on the extent to which youth experience multiple forms of interpersonal violence. The available literature indicates a link between polyvictimization experiences (e.g., Finkelhor, Turner, Hamby, & Ormrod, 2011), such as a bullying-dating violence-sexual assault paradigm (Holt & Espelage, 2005). Youth within rural areas seem to be at specific risk for experiencing dating violence (Spencer & Bryant, 2000). Less is known about the persistence of interpersonal polyvictimization over time among adolescents living in rural areas. The present study adds to current literature by exploring associations between bullying, dating violence and sexual assault among cohorts of high school students in one rural community over 5 different intervals between 2007-2015. Cohort analyses reveal significant increases in student reports of polyvictimization (i.e., experiencing two or more different types of victimizations), with the greatest increase in students having experienced bullying, dating violence, and sexual assault simultaneously. With inter-personal violence amongst adolescents becoming more prevalent (Fredland, 2008; Miller et al., 2013; Offenhauer, 2011; Wekerle & Wolfe, 1999), implications for cultural spillover theory will be discussed.

Author

• Aimée Delaney, Worcester State University