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. 2020 Sep;16(3):431-461.
doi: 10.1007/s11292-020-09422-1. Epub 2020 Mar 14.

Identifying Psychological Pathways to Polyvictimization: Evidence from a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Twins from the United Kingdom

Peter T Tanksley  1 , J C Barnes  1 , Brian B Boutwell  2   3 , Louise Arseneault  4 , Avshalom Caspi  4   5   6   7 , Andrea Danese  4   8 , Helen L Fisher  4 , Terrie E Moffitt  4   5   6   7
Affiliations

Identifying Psychological Pathways to Polyvictimization: Evidence from a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Twins from the United Kingdom

Peter T Tanksley et al. J Exp Criminol. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: Examine the extent to which cognitive/psychological characteristics predict later polyvictimization. We employ a twin-based design that allows us to test the social neurocriminology hypothesis that environmental factors influence brain-based characteristics and influence behaviors like victimization.

Methods: Using data from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 1986), we capitalize on the natural experiment embedded in a discordant-twin design that allows for the adjustment of family environments and genetic factors.

Results: The findings indicate that self-control, as well as symptoms of conduct disorder and anxiety, are related to polyvictimization even after adjusting for family environments and partially adjusting for genetic influences. After fully adjusting for genetic factors, only self-control was a statistically significant predictor of polyvictimization.

Conclusion: The findings suggest polyvictimization is influenced by cognitive/psychological characteristics that individuals carry with them across contexts. Policies aimed at reducing victimization risks should consider interventions that address cognitive functioning and mental health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Shared (systematic) and non-shared (stochastic) sources of variation across twin types.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Timeline of data collection of key variables.
Note: ADHD=Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Figure 3
Figure 3. Distributions of dizygotic (DZ) and monozygotic (MZ) twin discordance across cognitive and psychological characteristics
Note: ADHD=Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Figure 4
Figure 4. Distribution of sample and group means, by polyvictimization score
Notes: Panel A displays the proportion of the sample that experienced the seven types of victimization that contributed to the polyvictimization score. Panel B displays the group mean level of cognitive/behavioral and psychological factors by polyvictimization score. ADHD=Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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