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Abstract
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AVA research review of:
Chan, K. L. (2015). Family Polyvictimization and Elevated Levels of Addiction and Psychopathology among Parents in a Chinese Household Sample. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. doi: 10.1177/0886260515592617
Different forms of violence against individuals often occur within a single family. However, most studies fail to cover more than two forms of violence. This paper presents the concept of "family polyvictimization" and its prevalence among Chinese families, and also further explores the association of family polyvictimization with parental addictive behaviors and psychopathology.
This study is among the first to examine polyvictimization in Chinese families. Using a large sample collected from six different geographical regions, this study provides reliable estimates of the prevalence of family polyvictimization and indicates that family polyvictimization is associated with parental addictive behaviors and psychopathological problems. Future research needs to explore other factors that increase the risk of family polyvictimization as well as the protective factors that could be improved through interventions. Social workers, therapists, and clinicians dealing with clients with addictive behaviors and mental health problems should be aware of the potential occurrence of polyvictimization in the families with whom they work.
The study highlights the issue of family violence in China where there is a lack of research on this problem. Future discussions about the implications for Chinese culture are needed. This research highlights the importance of a family-oriented approach, stressing that all types of violence that an individual may experience within his/her family should be included in the screening process. Moreover, in clinics or social work services, future practice needs to explore effective interventions that treat a family as a whole in order to decrease and prevent the problem of family polyvictimization.
Language: en |