Gender-specific features of propensity for victim behavior in adolescents from migrant families

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study of gender-specific features of propensity for victim behavior in adolescents from migrant families. The study sought to identify victim behavior features typical of male and female adolescents from migrant families. The methods included the Victim Behavior Propensity Questionnaire (O.O. Andronnikova) and the Role Victim Behavior Propensity Questionnaire (M.A. Odintsova). The Pearson Chisquare non-parametric criterion was used to determine the significance of differences between the samples. The participants were 122 adolescents from migrant families from Central Asia and the South Caucasus: 58 females and 64 males. The study revealed significant differences in the degree of propensity for aggressive victim behavior among male adolescents from migrant families. In other words, male adolescents find themselves in risky situations as a result of their own aggressive behavior, hostility and provocations. Female adolescents showed a tendency towards active (self-harming) and dependent (passive) victim behavior. In female adolescents, propensity for victim behavior arises as a result of active interaction — such as seeking help and asking questions. Further, female adolescents from migrant families tend to exhibit helpless behavior and a need to delegate decision-making to others. They also search for support and sympathy from others. The study of the victim role characteristics of adolescents from migrant families revealed that female adolescents, as compared to male adolescents, are more prone to adopting the victim role in social interactions — i.e., female adolescents are more likely to rely on external resources to resolve difficult situations, often expressing emotions and distress in order to receive assistance from others. The mathematical analysis of the data identified the following gender-specific features of propensity for victim behavior in adolescents from migrant families: male adolescents tend to exhibit aggressive victim behavior, while female adolescents are characterized by a propensity for active (self-injurious) and dependent (passive) victim behavior.