Polyvictimization, polystrengths, and their contribution to subjective wellbeing and posttraumatic growth

Brooks, Matthew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5469-7769, Taylor, Elizabeth and Hamby, Sherry (2024) Polyvictimization, polystrengths, and their contribution to subjective wellbeing and posttraumatic growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 16 (3). pp. 496-503. ISSN 1942-9681

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Abstract

Objective: The negative biopsychosocial outcomes associated with exposure to victimization are well-known, however, limited research has examined the protective factors that can enhance wellbeing and growth following poly-victimization from in-person and digital sources. This study examines the contribution of adversities and a range of psychological and social strengths on perceptions of subjective wellbeing and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Method: A sample of 478 individuals aged 12 to 75 (57.5% female; M age = 36.44) from a largely rural Appalachian region of the United States completed a survey on victimization experiences, other adversities, psychosocial strengths, subjective wellbeing and PTG. Results: Approximately 93.3% of individuals reported at least one digital or in-person victimization, with 82.8% reporting two or more forms of victimization. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses indicated that strengths explained more than three times the variance in subjective wellbeing and PTG compared to adversities, with both models explaining about half of the variance in these outcomes (49% and 50%, respectively). Psychological endurance, sense of purpose, teacher support, and poly-strengths were significantly associated with better wellbeing and/or PTG. Conclusion: Some strengths hold more promise than others for promoting wellbeing and PTG following poly-victimization.