Prevalence of victimization, posttraumatic stress disorder and violent behaviour in the seriously mentally ill

There is evidence that individuals with a mental illness are more likely to report a history of victimization and to be at an increased risk for future victimization. The aims of the current study are to determine lifetime rates of different types of victimization in a population of psychiatric inpatients and to examine the associations between a history of victimization and measures of adverse outcome and rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A total of 130 psychiatric inpatients with a range of psychiatric diagnoses were surveyed. Information collected included history of victimization, aggression and violence levels, suicidal ideation, PTSD symptomatology, rates of hospitalization and pension status.

A lifetime history of victimization was reported in 87.7% of patients with 46% having lifetime and 32% current PTSD. Most clinicians did not identify the high rates of comorbid PTSD in these patients. Victimization was associated significantly with receipt of the disability support pension and number of previous psychiatric hospitalizations, both measures of more adverse outcome.

Victimization may have a negative impact on outcome and may further disadvantage an already vulnerable population. These findings have both clinical and policy implications for the long-term management of people with mental illness.