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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Violent victimization and health service utilization in a forensic psychiatric context: a comparison between offenders with mental disorders and matched controls

Authors: Mats Persson, Henrik Belfrage, Marianne Kristiansson

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Offenders with mental disorders constitute a particularly exposed group in society, with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and social deprivation. Often thought of primarily as perpetrators, these individuals may also be subjected to violence. Previous research indicates that violent victimization during lifespan is a risk factor for violent perpetration among psychiatric patients, but victimization studies on the group of offenders with mental disorders are scarce. Health services are pivotal to this group, but although most individuals do utilize these services, their vulnerability seems to remain. This study aimed at exploring the rates of victimization and health service utilization, including perceptions of unmet health care needs, among offenders with mental disorders.

Methods

Two hundred detainees undergoing a forensic psychiatric evaluation in Stockholm were asked about violent victimization and health service utilization. Each detainee was compared with three controls from the general population, matched regarding age, sex, and occupation.

Results

Victimization during the past year was reported by 52.3% of the detainees and 11.1% of the controls, with a corresponding risk ratio of 8.2. Health service utilization during the past three months was reported by 47.7 and 23.7%, respectively (risk ratio 2.0); and unmet health care needs by 42.2 and 16.7%, respectively (risk ratio 3.4). There was no distinct association between victimization and health service utilization among detainees.

Conclusions

Offenders with mental disorders are at great risk of being victimized, and they experience impediments to receiving requisite health care. A possible way to reduce victimization and improve health service utilization may be to establish interdisciplinary yet specialized health centers with outreach teams but without complicated referral procedures.
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Metadata
Title
Violent victimization and health service utilization in a forensic psychiatric context: a comparison between offenders with mental disorders and matched controls
Authors
Mats Persson
Henrik Belfrage
Marianne Kristiansson
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1251-0

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