Criminal victimization, cognitive social capital and mental health in an urban region in Germany: a path analysis

Purpose There is ample evidence that experiencing a criminal victimization is associated with lasting emotional problems among victims. To date, the mechanisms behind this association are not well understood. Based on the theoretical assumptions derived from a transactional stress-appraisal and coping model this study analyses the role of cognitive social capital (SC) in the association between criminal victimization (CV) and victims' mental health. Methods A cross-sectional, computer-aided telephone survey including a representative sample of 3005 persons from three German cities was conducted. Respondents were asked about CV during their lifetime, cognitive SC, perceived victimization risk, perceived safety and perceived ability to prevent victimization. The PHQ-4 was used as a measure of anxiety and depression. The data were analyzed by means of logistic regression models and a path model controlled for sociodemographic characteristics. Results Lifetime CV with any type of crime was associated with a clinically relevant increased risk of mental disorder (PHQ-4 >= 9; OR 1.8, p <= 0.05). Path analyses revealed that the direct association between CV and PHQ-4 (beta = 0.454; p <= 0.01) was significantly diminished by cognitive SC (beta = - 0.373; p <= 0.05). Conclusion Our results suggest that cognitive SC is an individual resilience factor against negative experiences related to CV and that it holds the potential to diminish negative mental health consequences of CV. Further research should explore to what extent an enhancement of cognitive SC can help to prevent anxiety and depression among crime victims.