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Aggressive behaviour, victimisation and crime among severely mentally ill patients requiring hospitalisation

Department of Forensic Mental Health Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, UK

Correspondence: Professor Sheilagh Hodgins, Department of Forensic Mental Health Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO 23, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. Email: s.hodgins{at}iop.kcl.ac.uk

Declaration of interests None.

Background Severe mental illness is associated with increased risk of aggressive behaviour, crime and victimisation. Mental health policy does not acknowledge this evidence. The number of forensic beds has risen dramatically.

Aims To examine the prevalence of aggressive behaviour, victimisation and criminality among people receiving in-patient treatment for severe mental illness in an inner-city area.

Method Self-reports of aggressive behaviour and victimisation and criminal records were collected for 205 in-patients with severe mental illness.

Results In the preceding 6 months 49% of the men and 39% of the women had engaged in aggressive behaviour and 57% of the men and 48% of the women had been victims of assault; 47% of the men and 17% of the women had been convicted of at least one violent crime.

Conclusions Aggressive behaviour and victimisation are common among severely mentally ill people requiring hospitalisation in the inner city. Rates of violent crime are higher than in the general population.

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KIMBERLIE DEAN
BJP 2007 191: 279-a13-279. [Full Text]