Polyvictimization and Psychological Adjustment Among Adolescents - and theModerating Effect of Peer Support.A Cross-Sectional Study on Swedish 7th Graders.

Polyvictimization across contexts has been found to be associated with negativepsychological adjustment among adolescents. This study aimed to explore the differences inpsychological adjustment outcomes amongst adolescents who experience victimization andpolyvictimization in a single context. Another aim was to investigate the possible moderatingeffect of peer support on psychological adjustment outcomes. Cross-sectional data from theYouth and Sports Project was used, with a sample of 675 Swedish adolescents in 7th grade(Mage= 13.1). Through cluster analysis, separate groups of adolescents were identified basedon their victimization experiences. Two of these groups were classified as experiencingpolyvictimization. The main findings showed that polyvictimized youth reported higherlevels of depressive symptoms and school stress, as well as lower levels of self-esteem andpsychological well-being, compared to non-victimized youth and those experiencing oneform of victimization. The results also showed that polyvictimized youth did not benefit frompeer support in relation to the psychological adjustment variables, compared to nonvictimizedyouth and those experiencing one form of victimization. This suggests thatpolyvictimization in a single context is associated with negative psychological adjustmentwhich is not buffered by peer support