Perceived consequences of hazing exposure during the first year of college: Associations with childhood victimization.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the association between histories of childhood victimization and perceived consequences of college hazing.

PARTICIPANTS: First-year college students at four US universities (N = 120).

METHOD: Participants completed Web-based surveys asking about childhood victimization (eg, child maltreatment), peer victimization, and perceived consequences of hazing during college.

RESULTS: Results indicated that college students with childhood victimization histories perceived hazing to be negative. In particular, physical dating violence and a greater total number of childhood victimization exposures were related to a higher number of perceived negative consequences.

CONCLUSION: Past victimization exposures confer risk on college students who experience hazing, in that these students are more likely to perceive negative consequences of hazing. Hazing-related policies and outreach efforts should consider these potential negative consequences, and counselors should be aware of the link between past victimization and how hazing might be experienced.