Rates of Victimization of Violence Committed by Relatives With Psychiatric Disorders

Persons with psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk of committing violence, with approximately half of all violence being perpetrated against family members. However, family violence perpetrated by persons with psychiatric disorders is a highly under-researched area, so much so that it is impossible to even approximately estimate the extent of the problem. This article presents the results of a national online survey of 573 adults with an adult relative with psychiatric disorders. Nearly half (47%) of all respondents reported being the victim of violence committed by their relative with psychiatric disorders since the onset of their relative's illness, and 22% reported being the victim of such violence in the past 6 months. Being the victim of minor versus serious violence was examined. The results of this study, in combination with sparse research previously conducted, suggest that 20% to 35% of persons with high levels of contact with a relative with psychiatric disorders have been the victim of violence committed by their relative with psychiatric disorders in the past 6 to 12 months, and that at least 40% have been the victim of said violence since the onset of their relative's illness. In the present study, no statistically significant differences were detected in rates of victimization based on the relationship type of the respondent to their relative with psychiatric disorders. It is imperative that further research be conducted that may inform the development of policies and interventions aiming to prevent family violence perpetrated by persons with psychiatric disorders.