Poly-victimization: A neglected component in child victimization

• Published in: Child abuse & neglect 2007-01, Vol.31 (1), p.7-26
• Main Authors: Finkelhor, David, Ormrod, Richard K, Turner, Heather A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Aggression - psychology; Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - psychology; Child; Child Abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Child Abuse - diagnosis; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Child Abuse, Sexual - diagnosis; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Child Abuse, Sexual - statistics & numerical data; Child development; Child victimization; Child, Preschool; Children; Chronic victimization; Comorbidity; Crime - psychology; Crime - statistics & numerical data; Crime Victims - psychology; Crime Victims - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Male; Mental health; Multiple victimization; Pediatrics; Personality Assessment; Psychiatric symptoms; Psychiatry; Psychological trauma; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptomatology; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Trauma; United States; Victimization; Victims; Victims of Crime; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0145-2134; 1873-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.06.008

Abstract Objective To assess the role of multiple victimization, or what is termed in this article “poly-victimization,” in explaining trauma symptomatology. Method In a nationally representative sample of 2,030 children ages 2–17, assessment was made of the past year's victimization experiences and recent trauma symptoms. Results Children experiencing four or more different kinds of victimization in a single year (poly-victims) comprised 22% of the sample. Poly-victimization was highly predictive of trauma symptoms, and when taken into account, greatly reduced or eliminated the association between individual victimizations (e.g., sexual abuse) and symptomatology. Poly-victims were also more symptomatic than children with only repeated episodes of the same kind of victimization. Conclusion Researchers and practitioners need to assess for a broader range of victimizations, and avoid studies and assessments organized around a single form of victimization.