Victimization and mental disorders: results of a case-control study

Aims. The study aimed to evaluate prevalence rates of victimization in a sample of outpatients affected by psychotic or anxiety disorder. Methods. After informed consent 101 patients (50 affected by psychotic disorders and 51 affected by anxiety disorders according to DSM-IV TR) and a control group of non affected people matched according to gender, age, marital status and education were included in the study. Psychotic patients were submitted to evaluation by means of PANNS; control group was submitted to the MINI interview. All subjects (cases and controls) fulfilled a 14-item Victimization Questionnaire. Results. Subjects affected by mental disorders reported more frequently physical aggressions (6% vs 1% of controls, p=0.054), contact with police for help (22.8% vs 5% of controls, p<0.0001), insults or offences (39.6% vs 18.8% of controls, p=0-001), disturbing phone-calls (19.8% vs 8.9% of controls, p=0.027), stalking (5,9% vs 1% of controls p=0.054). during the last 12 months. Subjects with anxiety disorders reported victimization more frequently than psychotic patients. The comparison of the data collected in the present study with those from international literature show lower rates of victimization in our sample. Conclusions. People affected by mental illness, particularly non psychotic patients, seem to be more frequently submitted to some forms of violent and non violent victimization.