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

Abstract

Although the consequences of recurrent victimization—or experiencing more than one victimization—are substantial, a comprehensive understanding of how recurrent victims may differ from single and non-victims has not been established. The goal of this study was to use multiple victimological perspectives collectively to advance current theoretical knowledge on what predicts recurrent victimization, when controlling for theoretically relevant factors. Using data from a 2022 national survey, “risky” lifestyle factors, individual traits, and target congruence theory indicators were assessed to predict recurrent victimization compared to single and non-victimization. Analyses found one risk factor—impulsivity—to be significant across models, indicating its importance in predicting recurrent victimization more generally. Other indicators (e.g., deviant peers, adverse childhood experience score, and disability status), however, were unique in predicting recurrent victimization compared to single victimization or non-victimization. Providing valuable insights into which theoretical factors may be important in differentiating recurrent victims from single and non-victims, these findings expand our understanding of why some victims are targeted more than once.