Repeat Victimization and Low Self-control: A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis

• In Event: Understanding Childhood Victimization Risks and Responses

Abstract

Low self-control has long been recognized as critical to the study of victimization, but little research has examined whether low self-control predicts an increased risk of repeat victimization. The current study seeks to extend the literature by exploring causal pathways whereby youth who are exposed to victimization experience the reduced self-control, which in turn increases later victimization. This hypothesis is tested using six waves of data from a longitudinal survey of South Korean youth ages 13-18. This study utilizes a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model to examine within-person changes over time. Results reveal that adolescents who are exposed to victimization decrease their level of self-control, which in turn increases the risk of repeat victimization in later adolescence. The current study takes an important step toward a life course perspective on victimization. Researchers need to give careful attention to the pathways to repeat victimization.

Author

• Myunghee You, University of Florida