Search Results (193)

Sexual harassment (SH) in academia constitutes a pervasive form of gender-based violence that undermines individual well-being and academic equity. While existing research has largely investigated risk factors, less attention has been paid to protective factors, coping strategies, and the cumulative burden generated by the reporting process itself. This qualitative study explores how victims of SH in Italian universities mobilize resources when disclosing their experiences informally to peers and colleagues or formally through institutional channels and how this process generates extra-fatigue: the cumulative cognitive, emotional, and practical labor victims have to perform as a direct consequence of inadequate institutional responses. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, we employed thematic and dialogical narrative analyses to examine cognitive, emotional, and behavioral coping dimensions. Findings highlight the central role of informal networks in enabling victims to recognize harassment, validate their narratives, and mobilize coping strategies. Trusted colleagues and supportive professors provided cognitive clarity, emotional relief, and practical protection. However, institutional responses were frequently perceived as inadequate or emotionally detached, reinforcing self-doubt and generating significant extra-fatigue to absorb largely alone or through informal support. Understanding extra-fatigue as structurally produced labor, rather than individual fragility, has implications for designing victim-centered institutional responses and structural reform in universities. Full article

Background: Transgender and gender expansive (TGE) people experience high rates of interpersonal victimization, which has been linked to high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a highly disabling and under-studied mental illness among TGE people). This systematic review identifies, classifies, critically appraises, and synthesizes the peer-reviewed literature describing the association between interpersonal victimization and post-traumatic stress among TGE people. This review collates what is known about the associations between victimization and PTSD among TGE people and makes recommendations to guide future research and intervention development. Methods: Searches were conducted across five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and CINAHL) following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: English language; peer-reviewed original research; articles describing the association between victimization and PTSD among TGE youth or adults; reporting TGE-specific data. Exclusion criteria were: reviews, commentaries without original data, dissertations or theses, conference abstracts, animal studies, studies without TGE-specific findings, and case studies. Quality appraisal was completed for all studies, which included a discussion of bias. Data extraction was completed by two independent authors, and conflicts were resolved by a third. Data were stratified by gender identity, race or ethnicity, and type of violence for further synthesis. Results: 25 studies were evaluated for design, measure quality, and key findings. Findings were highly consistent across studies: multiple forms of interpersonal violence (e.g., childhood maltreatment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and transgender-specific victimization) were significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity or diagnosis across diverse identities and geographic contexts. All studies examining childhood sexual abuse reported significant associations with PTSD outcomes, highlighting early life as a critical period of vulnerability. Samples were disproportionately White and adult, with limited examination of intersectional experiences shaped by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Discussion: Interpersonal violence-related PTSD among TGE populations reflects a pervasive and systemic pattern of trauma rooted in structural discrimination rather than isolated individual risk. Addressing this inequity requires multilevel prevention and intervention strategies. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, culturally responsive measurement tools, and intersectional analyses to inform prevention, clinical care, and policy responses. The majority of studies were cross-sectional designs, so causality cannot be inferred. Additionally, the samples were disproportionately White and adult, which may bias the magnitude of associations reported and limit generalizability to racially and ethnically diverse TGE populations. Although many studies reported race and ethnicity descriptively, none disaggregated violence-related PTSD outcomes by racial or ethnic group within TGE samples, representing a critical limitation for intersectional analysis. Full article

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive medical concern affecting millions of people worldwide, with the majority being women. IPV is linked to a number of long-term physical and mental health consequences, including brain injuries and associated persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, there is sparse literature assessing accessible and effective therapeutic avenues specific to IPV victim-survivors. Methods: This narrative review had two aims: to identify therapeutic studies addressing PTSD and PPCS in women IPV survivors, and to provide a narrative overview of potential therapeutic categories, including psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required full-text, peer-reviewed articles published in English, conducted in women with a history of IPV, reporting treatment outcomes related to PTSD or PPCS. Where no IPV-specific evidence was identified, findings from closely related populations including military veterans, athletes, and general TBI samples were narratively reviewed to inform potential therapeutic implications. Results: Nineteen studies addressing PTSD in women IPV survivors were identified, predominantly utilizing psychotherapeutic or mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. No intervention studies targeting PPCS specifically in IPV survivors were identified. Consequently, results for PPCS are largely extrapolated from adjacent populations. Although potential therapeutic avenues were narratively identified across psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy, IPV-specific evidence remains limited, and validation for PTSD and PPCS in this population is needed before clinical recommendations can be made. Conclusions: While 19 studies identified promising therapeutic options for IPV-related PTSD, no IPV-specific PPCS interventions were identified, and implications for PPCS management remain largely inferential. Validation and integrated trauma-informed approaches addressing the intersection of PTSD and PPCS are needed for this understudied population. Full article

Peer victimization during preadolescence constitutes a significant public mental health concern, particularly for children with special educational needs (SEN). Family relational factors, and especially paternal acceptance–rejection, may influence children’s psychosocial adjustment and vulnerability to victimization. The present study examined the associations between perceived paternal acceptance–rejection, multidimensional self-perception, and peer victimization among preadolescents with and without SEN. A total of 660 students attending the final grades of Greek primary schools (553 without SEN; 107 with formally identified SEN) completed standardized self-report measures of peer victimization, perceived paternal acceptance–rejection, and self-perception domains. Separate path analyses were conducted for each group to examine direct and indirect relational pathways. Among children without SEN, perceived paternal hostility/aggression was directly associated with peer victimization and indirectly associated through behavioral conduct problems and lower school competence. In contrast, among children with SEN, the absence of paternal warmth and perceived paternal indifference/rejection were directly associated with victimization, whereas paternal hostility was not significantly associated, and self-perception did not function as a mediator. Model fit indices indicated excellent fit in both groups. These findings suggest distinct paternal relational mechanisms underlying peer victimization depending on SEN status. Interventions aimed at preventing victimization may benefit from incorporating father-focused family components alongside school-based strategies, with particular emphasis on emotional warmth and support for children with SEN. Full article

In recent decades, awareness of sexual violence against men has grown, yet research and services remain limited compared to those addressing women’s experiences. This qualitative study examined how male survivors in Canada navigate social connection, masculinity, and resilience following sexual violence. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with three men aged 40–70 who experienced sexual abuse beginning in childhood. The analysis generated six experiential themes—Nature of the Abuse, Impacts of the Abuse, Breaking the Silence, Healing Journey, Victim versus Survivor, and Life Today—alongside a central theme, Words of Wisdom, which captured survivors’ efforts to transform suffering into meaning and connection. Findings highlight how stigma, silence, and masculine norms disrupted trust and disclosure, while peer support, spirituality, and redefined understandings of masculinity fostered relational recovery. Although situated in Canada, the study offers broader insights into how men negotiate vulnerability, identity, and connection after sexual violence. These findings underscore the importance of relational, survivor-centred approaches in therapy, community support, and policy. Full article

Background: Cyberbullying has emerged as a major public health concern with profound psychological repercussions on the adolescent population. The shift toward virtual communication has fundamentally altered interpersonal dynamics, removing the spatio-temporal barriers of aggression and creating new challenges for mental health. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, including a comprehensive update executed in February 2026. Searches were performed across PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The review included observational and experimental studies involving adolescents (aged 10–19 years) reporting clinical mental health outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Results: Forty-two high-quality articles were selected. Key findings include the following: Prevalence: A median cyber-victimization prevalence of 19.1% was identified, although significant methodological heterogeneity exists with ranges between 2.1% and 88.0%. Clinical Impact: Victims exhibited significantly elevated rates of depression (90%) and anxiety (87%) compared to uninvolved peers. Suicidality: Victimization is a critical risk factor, with suicide attempts reported in 19.0% of victims, compared to 3.0% in aggressors. Vulnerable Groups: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrated extreme vulnerability, with victimization rates between 64.1% and 68.9%. Additionally, females and LGBTQ+ youth showed a higher risk of symptom internalization and post-traumatic stress. The Role of the Bystander: Observers experienced fear, moral frustration, and helplessness, acting as either passive reinforcers or active upstanders depending on the school climate. Conclusions and Implications: Effective prevention requires a socio-ecological approach that transcends the classroom, integrating families, healthcare centers, and technological platforms. A transition toward modernized cyber-education is recommended, utilizing interactive tools and “serious games” to foster empathy. Full article

Purpose: A substantial body of research indicates that exposure to violence during childhood is linked to long-term harmful effects. More specifically, child abuse and exposure to parental intimate partner violence (IPV) may increase the likelihood of IPV perpetration in adulthood. This narrative review integrates theoretical and empirical perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intergenerational transmission of family violence, while identifying gaps in the literature and suggesting directions for future research. Methods: Relevant peer-reviewed empirical studies were identified through major academic databases and reference searches, with a focus on research addressing pathways from childhood exposure to family violence (CEFV) to adult IPV perpetration. The review synthesizes empirical findings to consolidate current knowledge and identify areas for further investigation. Findings: Existing studies have extensively examined associations between CEFV and adult IPV perpetration based on various theoretical frameworks, such as social learning theory, emotional regulation perspective, and the adverse childhood experiences framework. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives underscore that intergenerational transmission of family violence is shaped by behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and contextual factors. However, most studies have focused predominantly on individual and familial characteristics, with limited attention to community or broader socioecological influences. Furthermore, most of the studies have primarily been grounded in the victim–perpetrator binary framework, which treats IPV perpetration and victimization as distinct phenomena. Multidimensional aspects of violence and abuse, such as duration, severity, context, and frequency, also remain underexplored. Conclusions: This review underscores the need to (1) examine the roles of socioecological factors in the intergenerational transmission of family violence, (2) shift the paradigm beyond the gendered victim–offender binary, (3) account for the multifaceted nature of violence and abuse, and (4) utilize diverse methodological approaches to advance the field. Full article

Digital victimization has been increasingly linked to adverse mental health outcomes during adolescence; however, less is known about its association with depressive symptoms when accounting for other forms of peer victimization and underlying psychological mechanisms. This study examined the relationship between lifetime digital victimization and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample of Chilean adolescents (N = 11,439) and tested the mediating role of self-esteem. Lifetime exposure to digital victimization, emotional bullying, and harassment were assessed using dichotomous indicators. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale, and self-esteem with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Overall, 27.2% of Chilean adolescents reported lifetime digital victimization. The proposed model showed an adequate fit to the data (CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.942; RMSEA = 0.065; SRMR = 0.012). Lifetime exposure to digital victimization was directly associated with higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem, and self-esteem significantly mediated this association after controlling for age and in-person peer victimization. These findings highlight the importance of self-esteem as a key mechanism linking digital victimization and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Full article

Bullying—a form of deliberate aggressive behaviour where one peer causes harm to another in the context of a power imbalance—is among the top threats facing youth. Witnessing bullying can evoke many feelings, including anxiety, especially for individuals who have been victimized of bullying in the past. Anxiety can shape how individuals navigate social situations, including if and how bystanders intervene in bullying situations. The current study examined how previous bullying victimization, state anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity interact to influence defending behaviours while witnessing social exclusion in a virtual reality (VR) environment. Data were collected from 40 undergraduate participants who completed self-report measures and an in-lab VR task where they had the opportunity to defend against social exclusion. Although bullying victimization was unrelated to state anxiety, results of a moderated mediation model indicated that trait anxiety sensitivity moderated the link between state anxiety and peer defending. For those with low anxiety sensitivity, increased state anxiety after witnessing social exclusion predicted higher rates of defending. However, for individuals with high anxiety sensitivity, the opposite pattern was found, such that state anxiety predicted lower rates of defending. Given these findings, bullying prevention programmes should consider incorporating strategies to address anxiety sensitivity to promote peer defending. Full article

Several immediate and distal social environmental factors work directly and indirectly with one another to contribute to multiple forms of peer victimization. Bullying is the most prevalent form of peer victimization during adolescence; however, peer victimization typically takes the form of indirect aggression during young adulthood. Therefore, we examined how perceptions of school and neighborhood income inequality worked through perceptions of school climate, neighborhood violence, and neighborhood distrust to predict retrospective adolescent bullying victimization and current young adulthood indirect peer victimization. In a cross-sectional sample of 460 young adults (M_age = 20.2, SD_age = 2.18; 59.6% women; 40.4% men; 51.6% White), path analyses revealed that higher school income inequality indirectly predicted higher levels of bullying and indirect peer victimization through lower school climate. Higher neighborhood income inequality also indirectly predicted higher levels indirect peer victimization through higher neighborhood violence. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting adverse environmental risk factors to prevent and intervene in multiple forms of peer victimization across development. Full article

Bullying and school violence contribute directly to mental health difficulties among youth in the United States. Background/Objectives: This study describes the development and initial evaluation of a technology-enabled, multi-component school safety framework designed to support bullying prevention in middle and high schools. Methods: Students (n = 46), school personnel (n = 79), and parents/caregivers (n = 28) participated in three waves of usability and feasibility testing focused on a mobile application (Speak Out with Advocatr), companion classroom instructional materials, and guidelines for a school-wide safety campaign. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics and benchmark comparisons, and group differences across respondent roles were examined using analysis of variance with post hoc pairwise tests. Given small and unequal sample sizes, bootstrap resampling with 1000 resamples was used to obtain robust estimates of group means and confidence intervals. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Across waves, mean ratings generally met or exceeded predefined usability benchmarks, indicating favorable perceptions of the system. Findings indicated strong student acceptance and engagement with the framework. Adult participants expressed particular interest in restorative approaches to addressing student conflict, as well as concerns about preventing the recurrence of bullying behaviors. Conclusions: Findings provide initial support for the usability and feasibility of a multi-component, technology-enabled approach to school-based bullying prevention. Results also highlight the value of role-specific feedback for refining integrated mental health and safety interventions within school settings. Full article

The Syrian conflict has created one of the largest displacement crises of the twenty-first century, disproportionately affecting adolescent girls. Syrian girls have been primarily portrayed as victims of war or “the lost generation”, neglecting the plurality of their experiences. Building on Bandura’s social cognitive theory, Giddens’ structuration theory, Kabeer’s empowerment framework, and Mahmood’s modalities of agency, this study examines how Syrian refugee adolescent girls in Lebanon enact agency within contexts of forced displacement and how structural factors shape these processes. We conducted a secondary analysis of 293 first-person narratives from Syrian girls and mothers collected in 2016 using Cognitive Edge’s SenseMaker^®. Thematic analysis revealed seven structural barriers—restricted access to education, economic insecurity, inadequate infrastructure/living conditions, limited healthcare, gender and social norms, xenophobia, and lack of legal status—as well as key enablers including community services, parental support, and peer networks. Girls expressed agency through seven interconnected processes: awareness/acknowledgement of barriers, emotional navigation, resource identification, decision-making, future planning, reflection, and action execution. These processes were adaptive and recursive, highlighting that agency during displacement is dynamic, relational, and conditioned by structural forces. These findings inform approaches that both reduce structural barriers and enable refugee girls’ agency. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although cyberbullying among adolescents has been widely studied, relatively little attention has been paid to the overlapping roles through which cyberbullying is experienced. This study reconceptualizes cyberbullying involvement by classifying perpetration, victimization, and witnessing into eight mutually exclusive involvement types, enabling systematic and non-overlapping comparison of adolescents’ experiences. The study further examines how engagement in individual-level cyber-risk indicators is associated with different patterns of cyberbullying involvement. Methods: The study analyzed nationally representative data from the 2022 Cyberbullying Survey conducted by the Korea National Information Society Agency, including 9693 students from elementary, middle, and high schools across South Korea. Individual-level cyber-risk indicators were assessed through multiple dimensions, including risky online behaviors, intensity of digital activity, peer environments, and awareness of harmful online behaviors. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between individual-level cyber-risk indicators and the eight types of cyberbullying involvement. Results: Engagement in individual-level cyber-risk indicators was associated with increased odds of involvement in at least one cyberbullying type. Risky online behaviors and exposure to peers engaging in cyberbullying were linked to higher likelihood of both single and overlapping involvement patterns, whereas greater acceptance of harmful online behaviors was consistently associated with lower odds of victimization. Conclusions: These findings underscore cyberbullying as a relational and context-dependent phenomenon shaped by everyday digital practices and peer norms rather than isolated individual behavior. From a school social work perspective, the results support preventive, environment-focused interventions, including school-based media literacy education and institutionalized cyberbullying response systems, as promising strategies for reducing cyberbullying involvement among adolescents. Full article

Elder abuse is an increasingly common problem in modern society, in the context of rapid population aging. Despite increasing awareness, this phenomenon remains heavily underreported, and effective interventions are yet to be made, thus leading to significant medical, social, and legal implications. The purpose of this review is to present an updated situation of the depths of elder abuse, presenting its prevalence both at the global and European level, the two main environments in which it is the most common (community and institutional settings), different forms of abuse, risk factors, and consequences for each one of them, as well as medico-legal aspects on the matter. A narrative review was conducted based on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, in association with data presented in reports from international organizations. The review included only articles published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, addressing elder abuse in adults aged 60 years and older, and those that didn’t respect the criteria were excluded. Elder abuse comes in different forms, most of the time overlapping, with psychological abuse being the most prevalent. Each one of them has its own risk factors and specific consequences, but all of them will eventually lead to increased morbidity, accelerated cognitive impairment, and functional decline. In community settings, the elders usually experience abuse related to dependency on the family and social isolation, while in institutional settings, abuse is frequently associated with understaffing and inadequate care. From a forensic perspective, functional and cognitive decline complicate the proper documentation of the abuse. Thus, the role of the physician in providing legal support to the victim is essential. Elder abuse continues to be heavily overlooked, losing sight of the fact that its consequences extend beyond immediate physical harm, affecting the general physical and mental health of the victims. A possible solution to this problem is envisioned, with the purpose of raising awareness of this situation and contributing to a change in the perspective from which society looks at the elderly. Full article

The rapid digitalization of financial services in the European Union (EU) has not only enhanced convenience and inclusion but also increased exposure to sophisticated online financial fraud. Digital financial literacy (DFL) is widely promoted as a key tool for empowering consumers and reducing fraud victimization. However, the empirical and conceptual landscape linking DFL to fraud reduction within the specific sociolegal context of the EU remains fragmented. This study uses bibliometric analysis to map the research area, define major themes within the field, and determine the role of DFL in reducing online financial fraud in the EU. Peer-reviewed journal articles were targeted to ensure academic rigor, with a publication window of 2010–2025 reflecting key fintech and regulatory developments. After adhering to PRISMA principles, 87 peer-reviewed publications were chosen out of a total of 568 records identified through OpenAlex and Web of Science, coauthorship, keyword co-occurrence, citation, temporal, and density representations were analyzed using VOSviewer. Findings indicate an increasingly diffuse research field with new clusters concentrating on macroeconomic policy, business technology, social psychology, and interdisciplinary foundations. Results demonstrate that successful implementation of DFL interventions combines behavioral insights, technological protection, and non-discriminatory policy considerations. The study concludes by identifying major gaps in research and providing a path forward for future evidence-based policy efforts toward enhancing consumer protection in the EU digital financial market. Full article