Polyvictimization and Health Outcomes in the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

• In Event: Results from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)

Abstract

Individuals who experience polyvictimization are more likely to exhibit greater negative psychological and physical health outcomes compared to individuals who report a single victimization incident. However, less is known about the specific characteristics of polyvictimization that elevate the risk of negative health outcomes. To address this gap in the extant literature, the proposed research will examine the characteristics of polyvictimization that promote negative psychological and physical health outcomes in victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence using data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Different patterns of self-reported polyvictimization involving sexual violence, stalking, physical violence, psychological aggression, and coercive control and entrapment will be examined in relation to a wide range of psychological (e.g., worry, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and physical health (e.g., chronic panic, sleep problems, high blood pressure) outcomes. Results may advance knowledge concerning which types of poly-victimization (e.g., multiple versus single perpetrator, repeated exposure to single IPV subtype versus exposure to multiple IPV subtypes) confer the greatest risk of negative outcomes. Implications of the findings for violence prevention and victim service programs will be discussed.

Authors

• Lindsey Blumenstein, University of Alaska Anchorage

• Christin Ogle, USDOJ's National Institute of Justice

• Carrie Mulford, National Institute of Justice

• Bethany Backes, USDOJ's National Institute of Justice