Relational and physical victimization by peers and romantic partners in college students

This cross-sectional study of college students investigated prevalence and gender differences in relational and physical victimization by peers and romantic partners, as well as interrelationships among the victimization types with hostility and interpersonal sensitivity. Results indicated that relational victimization by peers and romantic partners was more prevalent than physical victimization. Males reported more relational victimization by romantic partners and more physical victimization by peers. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the influence of hostility and interpersonal sensitivity on relational and physical victimization by peers and romantic partners differed by gender and type of victimization. These results shed new light on relational and physical victimization by peers and romantic partners in college students especially as they relate to gender.