Abstract

Author:
Syed Faraz Ali, Aqeel Khan

Doi: 10.26480/mmhj.01.2025.34.39

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Polyvictimization, the co-occurrence of multiple types of victimization such as physical abuse, sexual assault, peer bullying, and indirect violence has emerged as a critical determinant of adolescent mental health. In India, where gender norms and socio-cultural stigmas influence both the experience and reporting of victimization, there is a pressing need to explore how adolescents of different genders cope with these challenges. This study examines gender differences in trauma symptoms, self-esteem, and psychological distress among polyvictimized adolescents. A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed with a purposive sample of 348 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years India. Validated instruments were used, including Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were analysed using SPSS v23, with ANOVA used to assess gender-based differences. Male adolescents reported significantly higher mean scores for conventional crime, child maltreatment, peer and sibling victimization, indirect victimization, and trauma symptoms (p < .001). No significant gender differences were found in self-esteem levels (p = .543), and psychological distress showed a marginally significant difference (p = .051), with males reporting slightly higher levels. Sexual victimization scores did not differ significantly between genders. Findings revealed that polyvictimized male adolescents are more vulnerable to externalizing forms of violence and trauma, whereas psychological distress and self-esteem impairments are shared across genders. These results underscore the need for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed interventions that recognize the cumulative burden of victimization and the sociocultural barriers to emotional expression and support-seeking in Indian adolescents.