The Individual and Familial Risk Factors of the Adolescents Exposed to Sexual Revictimization: The First Data from Turkey*

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (SA) is an important problem worldwide. There are many studies concerning the individual and familial risk factors for SA. However, in literature it is emphasized that there is a need for studies on the risk factors concerning sexual revictimization (SR). Because there is no study on the possible risk factors of SR in Turkey, the aim of this study is to determine whether there are meaningful differences between the possible individual and familial risk factors of individuals who have been exposed to SR and individuals who have not been exposed to SR. A total of 210 parents of adolescent girls participated in the study, 70 of them with daughters who have experienced SR, 70 of them with daughters who experienced SA once, and 70 of them with daughters who have not experienced SA. In order to collect data, a Family Information Form developed by the researchers was used. In the analysis of data, Chi Square tests and Holm’s Sequential Bonferroni Method were employed. As a result of analyses, it was determined that adolescents who have experienced SR have more alcohol consumption in their family compared to the adolescents who have experienced SA once and the adolescents in the control group. It was also determined that these adolescents experience physical abuse in the hands of their fathers, that they have problems with their parents about curfew hours and boyfriends, that they have a negative circle of friends, that they consume alcohol and perform self-mutilative behaviors, that they skip classes and have a low academic success level. In addition to these, it was determined that compared to the comparison group, the adolescents with SR as well as the adolescents who have experienced SA once have parents with lower education levels, that they experience more family problems recently, and that their mothers are physically abused. With this study on SR, which is the first of its kind in Turkey, it was determined that victims experience various individual and familial problems and that their parents need psychosocial support. The results were discussed under the light of literature, and suggestions were made.

Keywords: child; adolescent; sexual revictimization;  risk factors;