Victimization Status of Female and Male College Students in Spain: Prevalence and Relation to Mental Distress

Abstract

Despite the growing body of research concerning victimization and mental health among college populations around the world, there remains a need for additional studies that emphasize the role that victimization has on mental health. This study builds on previous research by analyzing the relationship between mental distress and victimization status in Spanish college students ( n = 828, 490 women and 338 men). Using online surveys, we examined the prevalence rates of seven types of victimization (threats, insults, online slander, theft, physical abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse) and three mental health disorders (stress, anxiety, and depression, as measured by the DASS-21 [Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21]) among students at two universities in southeastern Spain. According to their victimization experiences during the 12 months prior to the interviews, participants were classified into three victimization status groups: nonvictims (42.3%), single-type victims (23.3%), and polyvictims (34.4%). Except for threat and physical abuse, women reported significantly higher rates than men for each type of victimization and were classified more often as polyvictims. MANCOVA showed significant associations between polyvictimization and all three indicators of mental distress after controlling for sex. Interestingly, there were no differences between single-type victims and nonvictims in their self-reported levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. Female students reported a higher prevalence of severe and extremely severe levels of anxiety and stress than did their male counterparts. This study highlights the fact that a nontrivial proportion of college students experience mental distress, reinforces the existing link between polyvictimization and mental health disorders, and stresses the importance of violence awareness and prevention activities targeting this population.

Eating behavior and relationships with stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia in university students.

“…Nuestros hallazgos evidencian una elevada prevalencia de estrés (33,9%), ansiedad (23,5%), depresión (18,6%) e insomnio (43,1%) entre los universitarios de nuestro medio, mayor en las mujeres que en los varones (a excepción de la sintomatología depresiva). Aizpurua y cols (34),. utilizando también el cuestionario DASS-21, hallaron en universitarios españoles prevalencias aun mayores de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, con valores del 38,2%, 45,4% y 42,5%, respectivamente.…”

Academic Perfectionism, Psychological Well-Being, and Suicidal Ideation in College Students

“…These high percentages are an indicator of the mental health of university students. In Spain, the competitive environment faced by university students could explain the high levels of stress and the high prevalence of emotional and anxiety disorders identified in university students [23,24]; these disorders have been related to suicidal ideation [25]. Likewise, other studies find the cause of these suicidal thoughts in the widening gap between ambitions and the perceived lack of success experienced by students due to the inadequate organization of the academic system that makes them feel less successful as they strive harder [26].…”

Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression in College Males: Examining Polyvictimization

“…Results from this study have important policy implications for universities. With growing literature suggesting substantial number of college students being victimized worldwide (Aizpurua et al 2018), evaluating primary prevention strategies and the effectiveness of current intervention programs is critical. For instance, universities might benefit from implementing prevention approaches that explicitly incorporate principles that promote respect and safety for women.…”