Pathways from Victimization to Suspension in Adolescence

• In Event: Exposure to and Consequences of Victimization Across the Life Course

Abstract

Victimization can be a disruptive life experience for school-aged youth and can adversely affect their educational trajectories. School suspension is a particularly concerning outcome for victimized youth, given the well documented life-course consequences associated with this exclusive form of discipline. Yet, the pathways underlying the relationship between victimization and school suspension are not well understood. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify whether victimization is associated with school suspension and to assess whether this relationship is explained by changes in student problem behaviors following victimization. This research uses three waves of data from the PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) project, and a series of regression and causal mediation models to assess the relationships between victimization, school problem behaviors, and suspension. The results indicate that the positive association between victimization and later school suspension is partially and significantly mediated by post-victimization increases in school problems. The implications of these findings for studying the impacts of victimization on youth educational achievement and attainment are discussed.

Authors

• Alyssa Talaugon, Florida State University

• Jillian Turanovic, University of Colorado Boulder

• Sonja Siennick, Florida State University