Victimized at Home Revictimized by Peers: Domestic Child Abuse a Risk Factor for Social Rejection

The study aimed to inquire to what extent types of domestic child abuse (DCA) are risk factors to social peer rejection (SPR). In addition, the role of personal resources in terms of psychological consequences with either experience was examined. A convenience sample of 1,155 (301 males, 854 females) university students were administered a self-report questionnaire which consisted of: Demographics, Traumatic Events Questionnaire, DCA Experiences, SPR Scale, PTS symptoms scale, Social Phobia Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Potency Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Results indicated that domestic physical abuse and emotional abuse are risk factors to social peer rejection which is itself a risk factor for psychological distress. Personal resources buffer the negative psychological consequences of each of the negative experiences.