Why Does This Keep Happening? Assessing Theoretical Correlates Among Recurrent Victims Compared to Single and...

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Victimology
• Psychology

Background:

• Recurrent victimization has substantial consequences, yet differences between recurrent, single, and non-victims are not fully understood.
• Existing theories may not adequately explain why some individuals experience multiple victimizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advance theoretical knowledge on predictors of recurrent victimization.
• To differentiate recurrent victims from single and non-victims using multiple victimological perspectives.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a 2022 national survey.
• Assessed risky lifestyle factors, individual traits, and target congruence indicators.
• Employed statistical analyses to predict recurrent victimization compared to single and non-victimization, controlling for relevant factors.

Main Results:

• Impulsivity emerged as a significant predictor across all models for recurrent victimization.
• Deviant peers, adverse childhood experience score, and disability status uniquely predicted recurrent victimization compared to single or non-victimization.

Conclusions:

• Impulsivity is a general predictor of recurrent victimization.
• Specific factors uniquely differentiate recurrent victims, offering insights into repeat targeting.
• Findings expand understanding of the theoretical factors influencing multiple victimizations.