The Importance of Proximity, Target Congruence, and Guardianship of Korean Youth Victims: Applying Latent Class Analysis to Identify Subtypes of Poly-Victimization

• Published in: Crime and delinquency Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 844 - 869
• Main Authors: Cho, Sujung, Lee, Claire Seungeun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Activity theory; Adolescents; Bullying; Children; Childrens rights; Congruence; Dropping out; Early intervention; Guardianship; Latent class analysis; Polls & surveys; Prevention programs; Proximity; Routine activity theory; Self destructive behavior; Subtypes; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teenagers; Victimization; Victims; Violent crime; Youth; latent class analysis; target congruence; poly-victimization; guardianship; lifestyle-routine activities theory
• ISSN: 0011-1287; 1552-387X
• DOI: 10.1177/00111287221111783

Poly-victimization, or exposure to multiple types of victimization, is particularly common among children and adolescents. This study uses Lifestyle-Routine Activity Theory and Target Congruence Theory to examine distinct subgroups of Korean youth who have experienced poly-victimization through the estimation of a latent class analysis. This study uses a nationally representative sample—the 2018 National Survey on the Rights of Children and Youth (N = 9,060, Grades 4–12). Results found four distinct subgroups of Korean youth who have experienced violent victimization: low risk/non-victims (54.1%), poly-victims (4.1%), verbal bullying victims (10.5%), and victims of parental abuse (31.3%). Distal outcomes such as suicidality and dropout were also examined regarding victimization experiences. Policy implications such as detecting victimization and early intervention/prevention programs are also discussed.