“Hurt people hurt people”: Relations between adverse experiences and patterns of cyber and in-person aggression victimization among adolescents from urban, high-burden communities

• In Event: Polyvictimization Patterns for Ethnic and Sexual Minority Youth: Trauma, Suicide, and Mental Health Correlates

Abstract

Youth living in impoverished areas are more likely to accumulate stressors that affect their development (García Coll et al., 1996), such as exposure to violence, child maltreatment, and other adverse experiences (e.g., Zimmerman & Messner, 2013). This can lead to a pernicious cycle, as exposure to one form of violence can increase adolescents’ risk of revictimization or violence perpetration (CDC, 2014). Although empirical evidence consistently indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exposure to violence, and trauma are associated with aggression and peer victimization (e.g., Thompson & Farrell, 2019), most studies have overlooked the possibility that adolescents may be both perpetrators and victims of aggression. The aims of this study were to identify subgroups of adolescents with distinct patterns of involvement in aggression and victimization and to understand differences across subgroups in terms of ACEs, exposure to violence, and trauma symptoms.
Data were collected from 264 adolescents (Mage = 14.3 years; 57% female; 96% African American) residing in three urban public housing communities as a part of a project evaluating a community-based approach to youth violence prevention. Participants completed self-report measures to assess their aggression and victimization (physical, relational, and cyber), exposure to community violence, ACEs, and trauma symptoms. Covariates included adolescents’ age, sex, and community. Latent class analysis was used to identify aggressor/victim subgroups.
Model fit statistics supported a three-class solution: (a) combined (cyber and in-person) aggression and victimization (17%), (b) in-person aggression and victimization (51%), and (c) adolescents with limited involvement (32%). Subgroups did not differ in terms of their age, sex, or community. Youth in the combined aggressive-victims subgroup had the highest probability of endorsing exposure to community violence, trauma symptoms, and a higher number of ACEs overall as well as higher rates of both verbal and physical abuse compared to the other subgroups. Our results indicated that the adolescents who reported the highest frequencies of aggressive behavior were also the most victimized and traumatized. These findings provide context to aggressive behavior among adolescents living in high-burden, urban communities and underscore the need for trauma-informed prevention interventions. Limitations and implications for future research will be discussed

Authors

• Kelly OConnor, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Presenting Author

• Terri Norton Sullivan, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Katherine Ross, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Non-Presenting Author