Victimization and Perpetration Patterns Among Asian-Pacific Islander Youth

Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) youth have historically received little attention in terms of violence prevention efforts. However, rates of violence among API youth are markedly high (CDC, 2011), highlighting the need to better understand patterns of victimization and perpetration in this population. Cyber harassment (CH), dating violence (DV), and sexual violence (SV) are particularly relevant forms of violence among adolescents and are associated with deleterious short- and long-term outcomes (CDC, 2006; Lang, 2003).  Currently, there is a dearth of research that examines how experiences with these different forms of violence co-occur. There are likely experiences with violence that cluster together. In the same vein, there likely is a unique constellation of risk and protective factors associated with involvement in violence for API youth that may vary by the co-occurrence of violent experiences, which if more clearly delineated could inform prevention efforts.

Data from two linked datasets will be used for these analyses. The sample includes 624 adolescents (59% male) in grades 9 through 12 who completed self-report surveys at one high school in Hawaii in 2009 and 2010. The sample was mainly comprised of Native Hawaiian (42%), Japanese (10%), and Filipino (16%) youth. Descriptive analyses suggest that victimization was not uncommon for youth; 22% had received an embarrassing, threatening, mean or insulting text message and 13% reported a dating partner had thrown something at them. Similar rates emerged for perpetration behaviors.  Additionally, the group reported high levels of experiencing certain risk factors (e.g., 41% experienced depressive symptoms in the previous week; 41% used alcohol within the previous month; and 24.6% used marijuana in the previous 30 days).

Using k-means cluster analysis, we plan to test whether clusters of youth with similar victimization and perpetration patterns exist among this sample. Based on preliminary analyses, we expect to find 3 clusters of adolescents with various experiences of violence, with clusters reflecting low levels of victimization; high levels of physical and emotional DV victimization; and high levels of sexual and emotional victimization, including CH. We will compare cluster members’ reports of family and peer social support, family and peer attitudes condoning violence, and a number of other factors (e.g., sex, sexual orientation, substance abuse) to examine whether differences exist among clusters. Additional analyses will focus on better understanding the unique risk and protective factors (e.g., collectivism, cultural values) within this population and how psychological functioning (depressive symptoms and suicidality) varies as a function of victimization.