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Prevalence of violent victimisation in severe mental illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Elizabeth Walsh*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Paul Moran
Affiliation:
University of California, Davis, CA, USA
Charles Scott
Affiliation:
Royal Free School of Medicine, London
Kwame McKenzie
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, London
Tom Burns
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester
Francis Creed
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London
Peter Tyrer
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Tom Fahy
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr Elizabeth Walsh, Section of Forensic Mental Health, The Institute of Psychiatry De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. E-mail: sppmemw@iop.kcl.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background

Since de-institutionalisation, much has been written about the risk posed to the community by those with severe mental illness. However, violent victimisation of people with mental illnesses has received little attention.

Aims

To establish the 1-year prevalence of violent victimisation in community-dwelling patients with psychosis and to identify the socio-demographic and clinical correlates of violent victimisation.

Method

A total of 691 subjects with established psychotic disorders were interviewed. The past-year prevalence of violent victimisation was estimated and compared with general population figures. Those who reported being violently victimised were compared with those who did not on a range of social and clinical characteristics.

Results

Sixteen per cent of patients reported being violently victimised. Victims of violence were significantly more likely to report severe psychopathological symptoms, homelessness, substance misuse and previous violent behaviour and were more likely to have a comorbid personality disorder.

Conclusions

Those with psychosis are at considerable risk of violent victimisation in the community. Victimisation experience should be recorded in the standard psychiatric interview.

Information

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 
Figure 0

Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of the UK700 sample, by victim status

Figure 1

Table 2 Clinical characteristics of the UK700 sample, by victim status

Figure 2

Table 3 Socio-demographic and clinical correlates of violent victimisation

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