Victimization, immigration status, and psychosocial well-being: A representative study among finnish adolescents

Immigrant adolescents seem to be at risk for victimization and being victimized in adolescence is related to risk factors regarding mental health. This study compared the frequency and type of victimization experiences among immigrant and native Finnish adolescents and tested whether these experiences mediate the relationship between immigration status and psychosocial well-being. Additionally, willingness to disclose victimization experiences in anonymous questionnaires was compared between the groups. In this computer-based study a population-based sample of 5607 Finnish adolescents was used (Mage = 15.23, SDage = 0.42, Range 15 to 16 years; 49.8 % girls, 48.5 % boys), of which 11.7 % were immigrants. Twelve lifetime victimization experiences were assessed, and psychosocial well-being was measured with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, crosstabulation and t-tests were used to report victimization experiences and participants' willingness to share them in an anonymous questionnaire. The relationship between immigration status and psychosocial well-being was investigated with mediation analysis, victimization experiences as mediator. Findings revealed that immigrant adolescents experienced more victimization, particularly in the form of property crimes, hate crimes, and physical and sexual abuse, than native adolescents. Victimization experiences were found to mediate the impact of immigration status on psychosocial well-being. Moreover, immigrant adolescents were less likely to disclose victimization experiences. The results suggest a potential underestimation of the prevalence of victimization experiences in immigrant adolescents, which warrants further investigation. As these experiences play an important role in the relationship between immigrant status and psychosocial well-being, the findings endorse assessing adverse experiences, as well as safe disclosure when planning psychosocial support and treatment for immigrant adolescents. •Immigrant adolescents seem to experience more victimization than native adolescents especially in specific victimization types•Immigrant adolescents are more unwilling to disclose their experiences even in an anonymous questionnaire•Findings mark the importance of addressing the impact of victimization on the well-being of immigrant adolescents