Poly-Victimization and Mental Health of the Street Children in Lahore City

Author: Zohaib Bashir

Supervisor: Rabia Dasti

Degree: BS

Year: 2010-2014

University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the predictive relationship between poly-victimization and mental health in street children of Lahore city. Through purposive sampling a sample of 77 street boys was collected from Lahore city, with the help of 3 government and private organizations working with street children. Sample included only boys within the age range of 9 to 13 years (M=10.66, SD=1.26) who have been residing on streets for at least a month. Sociodemographic form, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (Hamby & Finkelhor, 2004) and Mental Health Inventory (Veit & Ware, 1983) were used for assessment of demographic characteristics, poly-victimization and mental health respectively. The results indicated that Poly-Victimization positively predicted the Psychological Distress and negatively Predicted Psychological Wellbeing in Street Children. The most common type of victimization was Conventional Crime which negatively predicted Mental Health of Street Children. The results have important implications for the policy makers to develop improved services for this vulnerable group.

Keywords: Poly-Victimization, Mental Health.

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