Abstract
PurposeTo investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and adulthood domestic and sexual violence victimisation among people with severe mental illness (SMI), and to explore this association in terms of gender differences and potential mediators.MethodA cross-sectional survey of 318 people living in the community who were receiving care from Community Mental Health Teams. Associations were assessed using logistic regression of multiply imputed data.Results63 % (95 % CI 55–71 %) of men and 71 % (95 % CI 63–79 %) of women reported childhood maltreatment, 46 % (95 % CI 37–54 %) of men and 67 % (95 % CI 59–76 %) of women reported adulthood domestic violence victimisation, and 22 % (95 % CI 15–28 %)of men and 62 % (95 % CI 53–70 %)of women reported adulthood sexual violence victimisation. Men and women with SMI who reported experiences of childhood maltreatment were two to five times more likely to report domestic and sexual violence victimisation in adulthood after adjusting for confounders. The associations held for each of emotional, physical and sexual childhood abuse.ConclusionPeople with severe mental illness have high prevalence of experiences of childhood maltreatment and adulthood domestic and sexual violence victimisation. Childhood maltreatment appears to be an independent risk factor for adulthood victimisation among men and women with SMI.
Highlights
People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at increased risk for all forms of violent victimisation [1]
Purpose To investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and adulthood domestic and sexual violence victimisation among people with severe mental illness (SMI), and to explore this association in terms of gender differences and potential mediators
Important to advance our understanding of early risk factors for later difficulties in this population as this might help pave the way for preventative interventions
Summary
People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at increased risk for all forms of violent victimisation [1]. There is an established association between childhood maltreatment and adulthood violent victimisation in the general population [3, 4], there is little evidence for the SMI population. People with SMI are a vulnerable population, suffering from a range of mental and physical morbidity, social disadvantage, and elevated risk of premature mortality [5, 6]. It is important to advance our understanding of early risk factors for later difficulties in this population as this might help pave the way for preventative interventions. In the general population there is strong evidence for the association between childhood abuse and adult abuse and trauma, even after adjustment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
