https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517744847 Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2018, Vol. 33(5) 719–739 © The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0886260517744847 journals.sagepub.com/home/jiv Article From Poly-Victimization to Poly-Strengths: Understanding the Web of Violence Can Transform Research on Youth Violence and Illuminate the Path to Prevention and Resilience Sherry Hamby, PhD, 1 Elizabeth Taylor, MS, 1 Lisa Jones, PhD, 2 Kimberly J. Mitchell, PhD, 2 Heather A. Turner, PhD, 2 and Chris Newlin, MS 3 Abstract For many years, an overly “siloed” approach has hampered efforts to understand violence and minimize the societal burden of violence and victimization. This article discusses the limitations of an overly specialized approach to youth violence research, which has focused too much on violence in particular contexts, such as the family or the school. Instead, a child-centered approach is needed that comprehensively assesses all exposures to violence. This concept of the total cumulative burden of violence is known as poly- victimization. The poly-victimization framework reveals that many youth are 1 Life Paths Appalachian Research Center, Monteagle, TN, USA 2 University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA 3 National Children’s Advocacy Center, Huntsville, AL, USA Corresponding Author: Sherry Hamby, Life Paths Appalachian Research Center, 1016 West Main St. STE 3, Monteagle, TN 37356, USA. Email: sherry.hamby@lifepathsresearch.org 744847JIV XX X 10.1177/0886260517744847Journal of Interpersonal ViolenceHamby et al. research-article 2018