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Predictors of violent victimization amongst those with psychosis
Author(s) -
Dean K.,
Moran P.,
Fahy T.,
Tyrer P.,
Leese M.,
Creed F.,
Burns T.,
Murray R.,
Walsh E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01078.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychosis , personality , psychology , injury prevention , poison control , suicide prevention , occupational safety and health , clinical psychology , personality disorders , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology , pathology
Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and predictors of violent victimization amongst a community‐dwelling sample of individuals with psychosis. Method: The 2‐year prevalence of self‐reported violent victimization was estimated for a sample of 708 individuals with chronic psychosis living in the community in four urban UK centres. Baseline socio‐demographic and clinical factors were examined as possible risk factors for victimization over the 2‐year follow‐up period. Results: The 2‐year prevalence of violent victimization in the sample was 23%. Four factors were found to be independently predictive of victimization – history of victimization, less than daily family contact, young age at illness onset and the presence of co‐morbid Cluster B personality disorder. Conclusion: Those with psychotic illnesses are at elevated risk of being assaulted. Given the likely adverse health implications, clinicians should routinely enquire about victimization in their assessments of those with psychotic disorders particularly amongst those who are socially isolated, with a younger age of illness onset and in those with co‐morbid personality disorder.