title: The impact of extrafamilial victimization and poly-victimization on the psychological well-being of English young people.
abstract: Childhood victimization impacts on the well-being of children and young people, particularly those experiencing an extreme amount of different types of victimization (i.e., poly-victims). However, limited attention has been given to the impact of different categories of extrafamilial victimization (experienced outside of the family), particularly in the UK. The intricacies of the significant detrimental impact poly-victimization has on victims are also poorly understood. In this study, 730 young people, aged 13 to 16 years (mean 13.8 years), from one county in the UK, were surveyed about their lifetime and past year experiences of extrafamilial victimization, the locations in which these occurred, and current trauma symptoms. The results showed that interpersonal forms of extrafamilial victimization (e.g., sexual victimization) were significant predictors of trauma, whilst more indirect forms of extrafamilial victimization (e.g., witnessing the victimization of others) were not. When extrafamilial poly-victimization and number of extrafamilial victim locations were accounted for within regression models, however, this impact was reduced. Poly-victimization within the past year was the strongest predictor of trauma symptoms. Number of victim locations did not significantly predict trauma symptoms above and beyond the impact of poly-victimization, although it was a contributory predictor. These findings suggest that a holistic exploration of a young person's extrafamilial victim experiences is needed in any clinical assessment or research into its psychological impact. Specifically, attention should be given to the experiencing of extreme levels of victimization (e.g., poly-victimization). Further longitudinal research is needed to understand why poly-victimization has the greatest impact on psychological well-being.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, University of Nottingham, YANG Fujia Building, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: vicki_jackson_1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jackson-Hollis
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham, Dearing Building, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, University of Nottingham, YANG Fujia Building, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Browne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058445:Bullying / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D000066550:Physical Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Extrafamilial victimization; Internalizing problems; Poly-victimization; Trauma; Young people