Predictors of violent victimization amongst those with psychosis.
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Dean
K
K
Department of Forensic Mental Health Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK. k.dean@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Moran
P
P
Fahy
T
T
Tyrer
P
P
Leese
M
M
Creed
F
F
Burns
T
T
Murray
R
R
Walsh
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019090:Case Management; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*