Exploring Help Seeking Patterns for Emerging Adult Victims Using the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

• NCJ Number: 303942
• Journal: Violence Against Women Dated: June 2021
• Author(s): Lynn A. Addington
• Date Published: June 2021
• Grant Number(s): 2015-VA-CX-0072
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking and Sexual Violence Among Non-College Attending Emerging Adults: Exploring the Prevalence of the Problem and Utilization of Victim Services

Annotation

Since emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period and a particularly important one for studying responses to interpersonal victimization that can shape future coping patterns, this study focused on non-college-attending emerging adults to explore their use of help-seeking and satisfaction with resources.

Abstract

Comparisons were made with their college-attending counterparts. The findings highlight (a) the importance of friends across gender and education levels as a common resource and one perceived as helpful and (b) the large proportion of victims of interpersonal violence who did not seek any help. These results are discussed in connection with future research and policy implications. (publisher abstract modified)