Comorbidity between abuse of an adult and DSM-III-R mental disorders: evidence from an epidemiological study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence, risk, and implications of comorbidity between partner violence and psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a representative birth cohort of 941 young adults through use of the Conflict Tactics Scales and Diagnostic Interview Schedule.


RESULTS
Half of those involved in partner violence had a psychiatric disorder; one-third of those with a psychiatric disorder were involved in partner violence. Individuals involved in severe partner violence had elevated rates of a wide spectrum of disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the importance of mental health clinicians screening for partner violence and treating victims and perpetrators before injury occurs.
Danielson
K K
KK
University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
Moffitt
T E
TE
Caspi
A
A
Silva
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009626:Terminology as Topic