Does Polyvictimization Affect Incarcerated and Non-Incarcerated Adult Women Differently? An Exploration Into Internalizing Problems

Abstract

In this study, we used data from life histories of 424 non-incarcerated ( n = 266) and incarcerated ( n = 158) women to examine the extent to which women are exposed to multiple forms of victimization, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and traumatic life events. We assessed the effects of polyvictimization (e.g., multiple victimizations) on women's health-related outcomes (e.g., attempted suicide, drug and alcohol problems) as well as whether the prevalence rates and effects of victimization were significantly different between the subsamples of women. Results indicate that incarcerated women experience significantly more victimization than non-incarcerated women, and while polyvictimization was associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol problems, drug problems, and attempted suicide among non-incarcerated women, it was only marginally associated with an increased likelihood of alcohol problems among incarcerated women. Finally, low levels of polyvictimization affected alcohol and drug problems among incarcerated and non-incarcerated women differently.

Drug Use and Incarceration among Rural Appalachian Women: Findings From a Jail Sample

“…The prevalence of mental health issues in general among incarcerated women has been well-documented (e.g., Gunter et al, 2012; Peters et al, 1997), as well as the prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues (Sacks, 2004; Staton-Tindall, Leukefeld, & Webster, 2003). Histories of victimization and violence among incarcerated women are also well-documented (e.g., Johnson et al, 2015; Radatz & Wright, 2015; Saxena, Messina, & Grella, 2014), and victimization has been noted as a factor distinguishing first time and repeat women offenders (Herbst, et al, 2016). Thus, these findings are fairly consistent with the broader literature for female offenders.…”

Latent classes of childhood poly-victimization and associations with suicidal behavior among adult trauma victims: Moderating role of anger

“…Studies on poly-victimized children/adolescents further suggest that victims report greater psychological problems, including distress, posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, suicidal behavior, and substance use problems (e.g., Finkelhor et al, 2007;Ford et al, 2010;Ford, Grasso, Hawke, & Chapman, 2013;Grasso et al, 2013;Karsberg, Armour, & Elklit, 2014). Few studies have assessed the effects of childhood poly-victimization on psychopathology in an adult sample (e.g., Radatz & Wright, 2015;Richmond, Elliott, Pierce, Aspelmeier, & Alexander, 2009), and studies that do suggest greater psychological problems among adults as well. For example, Hooven, Nurius, Logan-Greene, and Thompson (2012) used a longitudinal design to show that young adults with a history of poly-victimization during adolescence were more likely to experience emotional distress and were higher on suicide risk behavior.…”

Understanding intimate partner violence in context: social and community correlates of special and general victimization

“…As poly-victimization is likely to lead to more serious negative outcomes compared to single-type victimization (e.g. Farrell & Zimmerman, 2017;Radatz & Wright, 2017), research is needed to establish tools to identify people at high risk of poly-victimization.…”