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Violent victimization in schizophrenia

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

We investigated the 3-year prevalence, and the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of violent victimization in a large and unselected nationwide sample of deinstitutionalized patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

The sample comprised 670 schizophrenic patients aged 15–64 years, who had been discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Finland in 1994. Comprehensive data were collected from psychiatric case records on the patients’ sociodemographic factors and psychiatric history, as well as the patients’ overall level of functioning. The patients were interviewed 3 years after discharge by each district’s psychiatric professionals using a structured interview schedule specifically designed for the purposes of the present study project.

Results

The prevalence of self-reported violent victimization during the 3-year follow-up was 5.6%. In the multivariate analysis, a poor financial situation, alcohol abuse and being a perpetrator of a violent or some other crime were associated with violent victimization.

Conclusions

The prevalence of violent victimization among schizophrenic patients in Finland was markedly lower than that reported on patients in the United States or Great Britain, but correlates were similar. Patients with a poor financial situation and a history of alcohol misuse, as well as of violent behaviour, seem to have an increased risk for violent victimization, and constitute a vulnerable subgroup in this respect. This subgroup of deinstitutionalized patients with schizophrenia may need additional care and protection from the danger posed to them from other members of the society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neurosciences, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41aA, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    T. Honkonen MD,PhD

  2. Central Military Hospital, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland

    M. Henriksson MD, PhD

  3. Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere Research Unit Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    A.-M. Koivisto BSc

  4. Dept. of Psychology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

    E. Stengård LicSc (Psych)

  5. Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Clinic Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland

    R. K. R. Salokangas MD, PhD, MSc

Authors
  1. T. Honkonen MD,PhD
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  2. M. Henriksson MD, PhD
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  3. A.-M. Koivisto BSc
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  4. E. Stengård LicSc (Psych)
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  5. R. K. R. Salokangas MD, PhD, MSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Honkonen MD,PhD.

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Honkonen, T., Henriksson, M., Koivisto, AM. et al. Violent victimization in schizophrenia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39, 606–612 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0805-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0805-x

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