Childhood Maltreatment and Revictimization: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

There is established evidence that childhood/adolescent victimization is associated with victimization in adulthood although the underlying mechanisms are not still clear. The current study aimed to systematically review empirical studies examining potential psychological factors linking childhood maltreatment to victimization in adulthood and the gaps in the literature. Following PRISMA protocol, 71 original studies consisting of a total sample of n = 31,633 subjects were analyzed. Symptom severity for various trauma-related disorders, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and risky sexual behaviors emerged as potential predictors of revictimization. While these potential risk factors mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adulthood victimization, evidence for additional factors such as social support, attachment styles, maladaptive schemas, and risk detection is very limited. Addressing these intrapersonal risk factors, found by prior studies, in interventions and preventive programs might decrease the probability of revictimization. The interactions between the identified risk factors have not been studied well yet. Hence, more research on mediating risk factors of revictimization is needed.

Pathways from childhood sexual abuse to sexual aggression victimization and perpetration in adolescence and young adulthood: a three-wave longitudinal study

“…This knowledge means that interventions with victims of sexual aggression at any age need to include strategies for reducing the odds of subsequent victimization and perpetration. These strategies need to focus on modifiable risk and vulnerability factors identified in past research, such as sexuality-related cognitions and patterns of behaviour (Fereidooni et al, 2023 ). They must be based on sound theoretical foundations to offer hope to break the cycle of violence for victims of sexual aggression from childhood onward.…”

“…A more limited body of research suggests that male victims of CSA also have a higher vulnerability to sexual victimization as adolescents and adults (Aosved et al, 2011 ; Schuster & Tomaszewska, 2021 ). Other reviews have focused on mediators underlying the vulnerability of CSA victims to later victimization, such as post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviour (Fereidooni et al, 2023 ; Scoglio et al, 2021 ; Walker & Wamser-Nanney, 2023 ).…”

Causal and common risk pathways linking childhood maltreatment to later intimate partner violence victimization

“…These mechanisms may contribute to the observed escalation in IPV risk among survivors of maltreatment from age 21 to PATHWAYS FROM MALTREATMENT TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE 13 26, although we cannot rule out that measurement discrepancies between these time points may also partly account for this finding. Over time, survivors of maltreatment may experience difficulties that gradually restrict the range of available behavioral responses and lead to 'thinner' social networks, increasing vulnerability to unsafe relationships (11,36,37). Conversely, the modest nonshared environmental influences on the association between maltreatment and IPV victimization imply that unique exposures -including distinct intimate partners -are less central to this revictimization pattern.…”

“…Childhood maltreatment (hereafter, maltreatment) is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders, substantially adding to the global burden of disease (5,6). Furthermore, individuals exposed to maltreatment face a higher risk of experiencing interpersonal violence later in life compared to their peersa phenomenon known as "revictimization" (7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

“…Childhood maltreatment (hereafter, maltreatment) is a major risk factor for psychiatric disorders, substantially adding to the global burden of disease ( 5 , 6 ). Furthermore, individuals exposed to maltreatment face a higher risk of experiencing interpersonal violence later in life compared to their peers – a phenomenon known as “revictimization” ( 7 - 11 ). A critical form of revictimization after maltreatment is intimate partner violence (IPV), with individuals exposed to maltreatment being 3–6 times more likely to experience IPV from age 16 than their peers ( 12 , 13 ).…”