Date Presented

Spring 5-1-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Alisha Marciano, PhD

Second Advisor

Virginia Cylke, PhD

Third Advisor

Laura Kicklighter, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between crime victimization, age at the time of victimization, psychological health, and resilience. Past research has shown that crime victimization has been linked to higher levels of depression and suicidal ideation, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders, and that those who experience a traumatic event as a child are influenced more negatively than those who experience trauma as an adult. Additionally, resilience has been shown to mediate the influence that trauma has on an individual. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty and staff were surveyed to determine their experiences with crime, age, and levels of depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorder symptomology, and resilience. The hypotheses were partially supported. Results showed that victims of sexual assault or rape had higher levels of anxiety and PTSD than nonvictims and that victims of other crimes had higher levels of PTSD than nonvictims. Age was not found to be a significant factor in levels of psychological health. Resilience was found to play a role in the levels of depression and suicidal ideation, anxiety, and PTSD in victims. These findings indicate that there should be a focus on helping victims of crimes, including providing access to mental health resources, prosecuting crimes that are reported, implementing new ways to decrease crime, and prioritizing strengthening resilience in the community.

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