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.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Age Factors
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Aggression / psychology
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Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
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Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
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Anxiety Disorders / psychology
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Child
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Child Abuse / diagnosis
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Child Abuse / psychology*
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Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data
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Child Abuse, Sexual / diagnosis
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Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology*
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Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data
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Child, Preschool
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Comorbidity
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Crime / psychology
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Crime / statistics & numerical data
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Crime Victims / psychology*
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Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
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Cross-Sectional Studies
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Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
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Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Female
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Humans
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Life Change Events
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Male
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Personality Assessment
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Risk Factors
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Sex Factors
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Socioeconomic Factors
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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United States
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Violence / psychology*
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Violence / statistics & numerical data