Layers of Harm: The Impact of Lifetime Poly-Victimization on Transdiagnostic Symptoms

Abstract

Childhood poly-victimization is a known predictor of psychiatric disorders and poor health outcomes. However, few studies have examined poly-victimization’s association with transdiagnostic mental health symptoms (i.e., emotion dysregulation, dissociation, and social avoidance and distress). The present multisite study addresses this gap by exploring lifetime poly-victimization and its association with transdiagnostic mental health symptoms in primarily undergraduate student sample. In the general sample, results indicated that the number of victimization types experienced significantly predicted symptom severity across transdiagnostic symptoms. Further, in a poly-victimization subsample, the number of victimization types experienced in middle childhood emerged as a significant time period for transdiagnostic symptoms. The number of victimizations experienced in adolescence also emerged as a significant predictor for dissociation. This study furthers poly-victimization research and intervention by applying a lifespan perspective. Findings highlight the importance of assessing life stage of poly-victimization and targeting transdiagnostic symptoms among college students seeking counseling and psychological services.