Young people’s narrations of the meaning of support after criminal victimization

ABSTRACT

Criminal victimization early in life can lead to serious consequences such as mental health problems, behavioural changes, and school difficulties. To reduce these possible consequences, support is important; however, little is known from research about what support after victimization means. Therefore, using 19 narrative interviews, the present study analyzes how young people in Sweden construct their need for support, and what they perceive as supportive. The interviews are analysed with thematic narrative analysis, using the concepts of agency and communion. From the results, it is concluded that victimization risks damaging victims’ sense of agency and communion. To repair the damage, the young victims describe wanting information and psychosocial support from professionals, family, and friends. In particular, information is lacking, but professionals also need to focus on building trusting relationships. Because each individual constructs his or her own need for support based on the damages experienced, the support needs vary. Hence, support must be adapted to the individual, and to what he or she perceives as supportive in relation to the social setting.

KEYWORDS:

• Victimization
• young people
• support
• agency
• communion
• victimhood
• construction
• narrative

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Swedish Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority under grant [08563/2016].