Estimating the Relationship Between Perceived Stigma and Victimization of People With Mental Illness

Over the past two decades, we have substantially increased our understanding of violence committed by individuals with mental illness, while comparatively less is known about the victimization experiences of this population. What has been established in the literature is that individuals with mental illness are more likely to experience victimization than the general public, and certain risk factors influence the likelihood of victimization. What remains unexplored is the possibility that a person with mental illness' perception that mental illness is stigmatized may be significantly associated with victimization experiences. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to examine whether stigma and victimization are associated, and in what direction. In other words, does perceived stigma lead to victimization? Or does victimization lead to perceived stigma? To assess these research questions, data from the Community Outcomes of Assisted Outpatient Treatment study are used, which is a longitudinal study of individuals with serious mental illness (n = 184). A variety of methods are employed to assess the association between victimization and perceived stigma including logistic and ordinary least squares regression models. Results from the logistic regression model indicate that perceived stigma is associated with an increase in the odds that a person with mental illness will experience victimization at later follow-ups. Results from the ordinary least squares regression analysis, however, show that victimization at baseline does not predict perceived stigma at later times. Implications regarding future research and clinical practice are discussed.