A longitudinal analysis of the overlap between violence and victimization among adults with mental illnesses

Abstract

Prior research suggests considerable overlap of violence perpetration and victimization among adults with mental illnesses. However, there has been no examination of how the likelihood of being a victim and/or perpetrator of violence may change over time, nor consideration of clinically-relevant factors affecting these transitions. In a pooled sample of adults with mental illnesses (N=3,473) we employed latent transition analysis to: (a) determine prevalence of four violence and victimization classifications (i.e., non-victim/non-perpetrator, victim only, perpetrator only, and victim-perpetrator) over a 6-month period; (b) calculate the likelihood that adults with mental illnesses will remain in or transition between these classifications over time; and (c) assess the effects of recent substance use, psychiatric symptoms, and suicidal behaviors on transitions over time. At each time point, the majority of participants identified as non-victim/non-perpetrators, followed by victim-perpetrators, victims only, and perpetrators only. Analyses also revealed many individuals transitioned between classifications over time. These distinct pathways towards, and away from, violent outcomes were, in part, a function of recent violence and/or victimization, as well as substance use, psychiatric symptoms, and suicidal behaviors. Findings inform the identification of adults with mental illnesses at risk of violence and victimization and highlight points of intervention.

Psychiatric symptoms and risk of victimisation: a population-based study from Southeast London

“…Whether increased vulnerability to victimisation applies only to more severe disorders such as psychosis, or also pertains to commoner psychiatric symptoms, is also unknown. Furthermore, violence perpetration and victimisation are known to overlap (Johnson et al ., 2015, 2016); however, few studies of mental health and victimisation have accounted for violence perpetration (Silver et al ., 2005; Choe et al ., 2008).…”

Exploring staff conceptions of prevention and management practices in encounters with staff-directed aggression in supported housing following education and training

“…Dyb [5] further suggests that the organization of the services, and whether the staff mainly understand their work in terms of providing institutional or home-based care, affect whether tenants experience their living situation as resembling an institution or a home. There is evidence to suggest that people with mental health problems are not violent [6,7]. Rather, people experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems are often victims of violence [8,9].…”

“…There is evidence to suggest that people with mental health problems are not violent [ 6 , 7 ]. Rather, people experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems are often victims of violence [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Exploring staff conceptions of prevention and management practices in encounters with staff-directed aggression in supported housing following education and training

“…There is evidence to suggest that people with mental health problems are not violent [6,7]. Rather, people experiencing mental health or substance abuse problems are often victims of violence [8,9].…”