Exposure to Multiple Forms of Victimization and Adolescent Health: An Integrative Approach

Background and Purpose:

Exposure to violence and victimization is associated with serious consequences for adolescent development, yet not all exposure results in negative outcomes. Studies assessing the developmental consequences of violence exposure have traditionally been siloed, with researchers focusing on one form of violence exposure, and each “area” assessing outcomes in relation to exposure without accounting for other possible exposure sources. However, youth are commonly exposed to multiple forms of violence (e.g., peer victimization, witnessed violence, child abuse), and the specific consequences of different types of exposure for delinquency and substance abuse outcomes has not been explored.  Understanding whether particular types of exposure to violence are associated with particular types of outcomes is critical to effectively targeting interventions.  Taking an integrative approach to understanding the consequences of violence/victimization, this study examines the relative influence of peer victimization, witnessed violence, and child abuse on adolescent delinquency and substance use.

Methods:  

Data is from LONGSCAN, a longitudinal study of the consequences of child abuse conducted between 1992 and 2012 among five sites across the US. This study draws on youth interviews at ages 16 and 18 (N=792, 51% female, 56% African American). At age 16, five types of victimization experiences were assessed, including 1) witnessed family violence, 2) witnessed community violence 3) physical maltreatment, 4) psychological abuse and 5) peer victimization. Past year delinquent behavior and substance use were assessed at ages 16 and 18. Multiple regression analyses examined the relative influence of exposure to these five forms of violence at 16 on substance use and delinquent behavior at age 18. Analyses adjusted for youth’s initial adjustment at time 1 as well as family income.

Findings:

Youth reported high levels of exposure to multiple forms of violence. At age 16, 17.7% reported witnessed violence involving family, 45.5% reported witnessed community violence, 26.8% reported being bullied, 19.3% reported physical abuse, and 32.9% reported psychological abuse. Relative to each other, no form of violence exposure was related to cigarette use. Relative to other forms of violence, witnessed family violence alone was associated with higher use of marijuana (b=.20, p≤.05). In contrast, witnessed community violence alone, relative to other forms of violence, was associated with higher levels of binge drinking (b=.18, p≤.01). With respect to delinquency, witnessed community violence emerged as an especially strong correlate of carrying a weapon (b=.13, p≤.001), being involved in gang fights (b=.16, p≤.01), and getting in trouble with the police (b=.17, p≤.001). Physical abuse predicted attacking others with a weapon (b=.10, p≤.05) and being involved in gang fights (b=.18, p≤.001).

Conclusion and Implications:

Results suggest that different types of violence exposure have different and more serious effects than other types, depending on the domain of functioning. Witnessed family violence emerged as an important correlate of substance use. In contrast, witnessed community violence and physical abuse emerged as important predictors of delinquent activity. Identifying particular forms of victimization that are most closely associated with particular outcomes is key to tailoring intervention work to target the most impacting experiences of youth.