Prevalence and Correlates of the Family Polyvictimization: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to (a) provide updated prevalence estimates of family polyvictimization by synthesizing recent literature, (b) examine the effect sizes of how one type of family victimization impacts other types, and (c) investigate correlates of family polyvictimization. Literature databases were searched for publications from May 2018 onward. A total of 49 studies, producing 51 estimates, met the inclusion criteria and were included in this updated analysis, providing a substantial sample size of 543,196 for the general synthesis of effect sizes. Combined with a previous meta-analysis, 89 estimates were included to synthesize overall effect sizes and estimate associations among different types of family victimization and their correlates. Among the 51 new estimates, the event rate of family polyvictimization was 27.0%. When combined with the previous meta-analysis (18.3%), the overall event rate across 89 estimates decreases slightly to 23.1%. This updated meta-analysis includes more studies from continents such as Africa and South America, which consistently report higher rates of polyvictimization. Findings also show that the prevalence of family victimization co-occurrence is higher in clinical samples compared to the general population. The higher prevalence of family victimization co-occurrence in clinical samples highlights the increased likelihood of identifying a second victim in the same family once the first victim comes to the attention of health or social services. The overrepresentation of child polyvictimization and the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and child abuse suggest that more members from extended families should be included in family violence studies.