Does College Matter? Exploring College-Level Factors Related to Victimization Risk for U.S. and Canadian College Students

Research shows that U.S. college students are at risk for a variety of victimization types. College students in Canada also experience similar types of victimization compared to U.S students, yet recent research shows that Canadian students are at a greater risk than U.S. college students of being victimized. Little is known, however, as to whether college-level factors influence victimization risk and how these risks may be different for U.S. and Canadian college students. Using the American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment data (ACHA-NCHA II), the current study builds upon past research by exploring the role of both individual and school characteristics and whether they are similarly related to risk of victimization in the two populations. The findings show that Canadian students are at higher risk for victimization and that some school-level factors play a role in predicting this risk for all students, with some variation in ones that matter for each country.

Child Maltreatment and Substance Use: A Behavior Genetic Analysis

Child maltreatment is a pervasive social problem often perpetuated by family members and is related to a wide array of negative life outcomes. Although substance use is an outcome commonly associated with experiences of child maltreatment, not all individuals who experience maltreatment struggle with such issues. Many individuals can positively adapt to experiences of maltreatment based on levels of resilience and susceptibility. Research suggests that genetic differences may partly explain why negative outcomes develop for some, but not for others. Few studies have examined the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence the longitudinal association between child maltreatment and varying forms of substance use, leaving a fundamental gap in our current understanding of this association. The current study aims to address this gap by analyzing a sample of twins from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Findings from a series of univariate and bivariate biometric models reveal that the longitudinal associations between maltreatment, cigarette use, and marijuana use are accounted for by additive genetic and nonshared environmental factors. Moreover, the magnitude of the contribution varies across unique subgroups of cigarette and marijuana use. Directions for future research and theoretical implications are discussed.

Identifying Poly-Victimization Among Prisoners: An Application of Latent Class Analysis

Research suggests that people in prison may be especially vulnerable to victimization and may be more likely to report exposure to multiple types, known as poly-victimization. However, the literature surrounding patterns of victimization among prisoners is limited. Before we can fully understand the variation in victimization experiences among prisoners, a necessary first step is to identify victim profiles within prisons. The current study utilizes data from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities and employs latent class analysis to identify unique victim profiles among prisoners to understand the variation in victimization experiences, with a focus on identifying those exposed to poly-victimization. The findings of this study indicate (a) that there are four distinct victim profiles-poly-victimization (2%), physical victimization in adulthood (31%), physical victimization in childhood (17%), and low/no victimization (49%); (b) that some prisoners experience poly-victimization, although this consists of a small proportion of prisoners; and (c) that there are clear demographic differences between the latent classes, with some of the largest differences among those in the poly-victimization profile. The findings of the current study are important because they add more depth to the knowledge regarding poly-victimization among prisoners, a topic that has received little attention from researchers. The current study suggests that correctional policy may need to be tailored in a way that recognizes the different needs of prisoners who have been exposed to different forms of victimization.

Mental Health and Victimization: Does Risky Lifestyle Matter?

Research shows that individuals with mental health problems are at an increased risk of victimization compared with individuals without such problems, and certain mental health problems are linked with particular types of victimization. Although most research has not used theory to guide why these differential risks exist, researchers have begun to theorize the reasons why individuals with mental health problems experience victimization. In line with these recent inquiries, the present study uses a Lifestyle/Routine Activities perspective to examine the victimization of people with mental health problems. Further, different types of mental health problems are explored for their potential links to victimization. Risky lifestyle factors are also explored for their potential mediating role in the link between mental health and victimization. A path analysis is conducted with data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Results suggest that different mental health problems have differing links to victimization types, and lifestyle factors mediate the link for some forms of victimization. The findings imply that certain lifestyle factors explain victimization risk among people with mental health problems, but these individuals may also have unique risk factors related to mental health. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Violent Victimization: The Role of Social Support and Risky Lifestyle

Although engagement in risky lifestyle and routine activities play a major role in increasing the risk of violent victimization, less is known about the factors that precede engagement in risky lifestyles. The quality of interpersonal relationships is shown to be an important factor that influences one's life. Therefore, the lack of social support may be a potential factor that shapes why individuals get involved in risky lifestyles and routine activities. There is evidence that a lack of social support is linked to victimization and a lack of social support is also linked to engagement in risky lifestyle. What is not understood, however, is how these variables are linked with one another. To address this gap, risky lifestyle factors are explored for their potential mediating role in the link between social support and violent victimization. A path analysis is conducted with data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The final sample size is 14,322 and the average age of respondents is 16 years old. Results suggest that social support from different sources do not have the same effects on violent victimization, and only certain lifestyle factors mediate the link to violent victimization. The findings imply that a lack of social support not only has direct effects on violent victimization, but also leads individuals to engage in risky lifestyles that also increase the risk of victimization. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

The reelin pathway modulates the structure and function of retinal synaptic circuitry

The formation of synaptic connections requires the coordination of specific guidance molecules and spontaneous neuronal activity. The visual system has provided a useful model for understanding the role of these cues in shaping the precise connections from the neural retina to the brain. Here, we demonstrate that two essential genes in the Reelin signaling pathway function during the patterning of synaptic connectivity in the retina. Physiological studies of mice deficient in either reelin or disabled-1 reveal an attenuation of rod-driven retinal responses. This defect is associated with a decrease in rod bipolar cell density and an abnormal distribution of processes in the inner plexiform layer. These results imply that, in addition to its essential role during neuronal migration, the Reelin pathway contributes to the formation of neuronal circuits in the central nervous system.