Risk for domestic violence: factors associated with perpetration and victimization

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Forensic Psychology

Background:

• Domestic violence is a significant public health issue requiring systematic screening in mental health settings.
• Current research lacks specific risk markers for identifying individuals at risk of perpetrating or experiencing domestic violence.
• Existing correlates of domestic violence, such as depression and substance abuse, are frequently encountered by clinicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the necessity of systematic domestic violence screening and assessment in mental health care.
• To encourage clinicians to identify patients at risk for domestic violence by recognizing potential correlates.
• To provide strategies for assessing violence and violence risk in both perpetrators and victims.

Main Methods:

• Review of extant literature on domestic violence risk factors and correlates.
• Discussion of clinical implications for systematic assessment in mental health settings.
• Outline of strategies for assessing violence risk in perpetrators and victims.

Main Results:

• No specific risk factors for domestic violence perpetration or victimization have been empirically identified.
• Several correlates of domestic violence (e.g., depression, substance use, physical injuries) are observable in clinical practice.
• Systematic assessment and ongoing evaluation of correlates can aid in risk assessment for domestic violence incidents.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians must systematically screen all patients for domestic violence due to the lack of established risk factors.
• Recognizing correlates of domestic violence can help identify at-risk individuals and inform clinical care.
• Effective assessment strategies are crucial for addressing domestic violence in clinical settings.