Understanding Multi‐Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents

Emil K. Smith; Rachel E. Gartner; Paul R. Sterzing; Robert W. S. Coulter

doi:10.1111/josh.70179

Understanding Multi‐Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents

Emil K. Smith
, Rachel E. Gartner
, Paul R. Sterzing
, Robert W. S. Coulter

School of Applied Social Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Transgender and gender‐diverse adolescents (TGDA) experience multiple victimization types (i.e., multi‐victimization) more often than their cisgender peers. While greater socioecological supports are associated with reduced victimization, their role in protecting TGDA against multi‐victimization is underexplored. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of health risk behavior survey data from students ( N = 4207) across 13 high schools in a mid‐sized U.S. city. We compared victimization rates and socioecological support levels (i.e., parental monitoring, perceived social support, food and housing security) and associations between socioecological support and victimization, accounting for between‐school differences. We included two‐way interactions between gender and socioecological supports. Results TGDA reported more frequent multi‐victimization and lower socioecological support than cisgender adolescents. Across all groups, greater socioecological support was associated with experiencing fewer victimization types. Food security was more protective for cisgender girls than cisgender boys. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Enhancing socioecological support may reduce multi‐victimization for all youth, with TGDA having the greatest need. Schools' advocacy and innovative efforts to bolster socioecological support are critical to TGDA wellbeing. Conclusions Modifiable socioecological supports may reduce adolescent multi‐victimization. TGDA have lower support rates and higher multi‐victimization rates, suggesting the need for tailored interventions.

Original language	English
Article number	e70179
Journal	Journal of School Health
Volume	96
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70179
Publication status	Published - Jul 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

adolescent
bullying
gender identity
sexual violence
social support
victimization

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10.1111/josh.70179

Cite this

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title = "Understanding Multi‐Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents",

abstract = "ABSTRACT Background Transgender and gender‐diverse adolescents (TGDA) experience multiple victimization types (i.e., multi‐victimization) more often than their cisgender peers. While greater socioecological supports are associated with reduced victimization, their role in protecting TGDA against multi‐victimization is underexplored. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of health risk behavior survey data from students ( N = 4207) across 13 high schools in a mid‐sized U.S. city. We compared victimization rates and socioecological support levels (i.e., parental monitoring, perceived social support, food and housing security) and associations between socioecological support and victimization, accounting for between‐school differences. We included two‐way interactions between gender and socioecological supports. Results TGDA reported more frequent multi‐victimization and lower socioecological support than cisgender adolescents. Across all groups, greater socioecological support was associated with experiencing fewer victimization types. Food security was more protective for cisgender girls than cisgender boys. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Enhancing socioecological support may reduce multi‐victimization for all youth, with TGDA having the greatest need. Schools' advocacy and innovative efforts to bolster socioecological support are critical to TGDA wellbeing. Conclusions Modifiable socioecological supports may reduce adolescent multi‐victimization. TGDA have lower support rates and higher multi‐victimization rates, suggesting the need for tailored interventions. ",

keywords = "adolescent, bullying, gender identity, sexual violence, social support, victimization",

author = "Smith, \{Emil K.\} and Gartner, \{Rachel E.\} and Sterzing, \{Paul R.\} and Coulter, \{Robert W. S.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Journal of School Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American School Health Association.",

year = "2026",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1111/josh.70179",

language = "English",

volume = "96",

journal = "Journal of School Health",

issn = "0022-4391",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

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T1 - Understanding Multi‐Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents

AU - Smith, Emil K.

AU - Gartner, Rachel E.

AU - Sterzing, Paul R.

AU - Coulter, Robert W. S.

PY - 2026/7

Y1 - 2026/7

N2 - ABSTRACT Background Transgender and gender‐diverse adolescents (TGDA) experience multiple victimization types (i.e., multi‐victimization) more often than their cisgender peers. While greater socioecological supports are associated with reduced victimization, their role in protecting TGDA against multi‐victimization is underexplored. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of health risk behavior survey data from students ( N = 4207) across 13 high schools in a mid‐sized U.S. city. We compared victimization rates and socioecological support levels (i.e., parental monitoring, perceived social support, food and housing security) and associations between socioecological support and victimization, accounting for between‐school differences. We included two‐way interactions between gender and socioecological supports. Results TGDA reported more frequent multi‐victimization and lower socioecological support than cisgender adolescents. Across all groups, greater socioecological support was associated with experiencing fewer victimization types. Food security was more protective for cisgender girls than cisgender boys. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Enhancing socioecological support may reduce multi‐victimization for all youth, with TGDA having the greatest need. Schools' advocacy and innovative efforts to bolster socioecological support are critical to TGDA wellbeing. Conclusions Modifiable socioecological supports may reduce adolescent multi‐victimization. TGDA have lower support rates and higher multi‐victimization rates, suggesting the need for tailored interventions.

AB - ABSTRACT Background Transgender and gender‐diverse adolescents (TGDA) experience multiple victimization types (i.e., multi‐victimization) more often than their cisgender peers. While greater socioecological supports are associated with reduced victimization, their role in protecting TGDA against multi‐victimization is underexplored. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of health risk behavior survey data from students ( N = 4207) across 13 high schools in a mid‐sized U.S. city. We compared victimization rates and socioecological support levels (i.e., parental monitoring, perceived social support, food and housing security) and associations between socioecological support and victimization, accounting for between‐school differences. We included two‐way interactions between gender and socioecological supports. Results TGDA reported more frequent multi‐victimization and lower socioecological support than cisgender adolescents. Across all groups, greater socioecological support was associated with experiencing fewer victimization types. Food security was more protective for cisgender girls than cisgender boys. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Enhancing socioecological support may reduce multi‐victimization for all youth, with TGDA having the greatest need. Schools' advocacy and innovative efforts to bolster socioecological support are critical to TGDA wellbeing. Conclusions Modifiable socioecological supports may reduce adolescent multi‐victimization. TGDA have lower support rates and higher multi‐victimization rates, suggesting the need for tailored interventions.

KW - adolescent

KW - bullying

KW - gender identity

KW - sexual violence

KW - social support

KW - victimization

UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/josh.70179

U2 - 10.1111/josh.70179

DO - 10.1111/josh.70179

M3 - Article

SN - 0022-4391

VL - 96

JO - Journal of School Health

JF - Journal of School Health

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M1 - e70179

ER -

Understanding Multi‐Victimization: Identifying Socioecological Supports Among Adolescents

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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