The impact of victimization on health

This article was previously published on the website of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. 

Being a victim of a violent crime—or another traumatic event—can leave deep physical and mental scars. Behavioural geneticist Bodine Gonggrijp investigated the relationship between victimization, mental health issues, and biological processes at VU Amsterdam.

‘My research shows that victimization are often linked to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness,’ says Gonggrijp. ‘I specifically examined experiences of crime, including violent offences, sexual assaults, and thefts. Victimization can also influence epigenetic processes, such as an accelerated ageing process in the body.’ She concludes that these effects are not solely caused by victimization itself but are also influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

Twins as research model

To explore this, Gonggrijp studied twin pairs participating in the Netherlands Twin Register at VU Amsterdam. ‘By comparing twin pairs in which one has been a victim and the other has not, I was able to distinguish between the direct consequences of victimization and the effects of genetic or environmental factors,’ she explains.

Gonggrijp concludes that individuals who are already vulnerable, for instance, due to psychological issues, have a higher likelihood of becoming victims. This aligns with previous research findings: perpetrators often try to minimise the risks of their actions by targeting individuals perceived as vulnerable. ‘This means it is important not only to examine the consequences of victimization but also to consider factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability,’ Gonggrijp states.

Biological ageing

Gonggrijp studied biological ageing in people who have experienced severe negative events (including victimization) using epigenetic biomarkers. Several such biomarkers have been developed to measure biological age. ‘In my research, I found that significant life events, such as financial difficulties and sexual victimhood, were particularly associated with an accelerated ageing process, as measured by epigenetic age indicators,’ says Gonggrijp.

These associations remained even after adjusting for factors such as smoking and body mass index (BMI). However, comparisons within discordant twin pairs suggest that genetic and shared environmental factors may also play a role in this relationship, highlighting the complexity of the link between victimization and accelerated ageing.

Practical implications

Gonggrijp hopes her research will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of victimization and the mechanisms involved. ‘By taking genetic and environmental influences into account, we can better understand why some people are more vulnerable than others,’ she says. This could provide valuable insights for professionals and policymakers, for example, in developing preventive interventions and targeted support for at-risk groups.

More information

Bodine Gonggrijp: Invisible Scars: Unraveling the Epigenetic and Mental Health Consequences of Victimization - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Gonggrijp will defend her dissertation on 24 March 2025 at 11:45 – 13:15 in the Auditorium of the Main building, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. See also the agenda item on the website of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Supervisors are Prof. Dr Dorret Boomsma and Prof. Catrien Bijleveld LL.M. Co-supervisors are Dr Jenny van Dongen and Dr Steve van de Weijer.