Prevalence of Victimization in Patients With Dual Diagnosis

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of victimization in patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (dual diagnosis) and compare them to the general population. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study conducted in the Netherlands, 9 different types of victimization (e.g., physical assault) were assessed with the Safety Monitor in patients with dual diagnosis (n = 243) and a sample of the general population (n = 10,865). Chi-square tests were used to compare patients with a weighted sample of the general population. Results: Compared to the general population, patients with dual diagnosis were more likely to have been a victim of violence (60% vs. 11%), property crime (58% vs. 30%), and vandalism (21% vs. 14%) in the year preceding the assessment. Threats, sexual assault, physical assault, robbery, bicycle theft, other theft, and vandalism were more prevalent in patients with dual diagnosis compared to the general population. Car theft was more prevalent in the general population. The risk of burglary did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Patients with dual diagnosis are highly prone to victimization. In patients with severe mental illness, victimization is associated with psychopathology, substance use, homelessness, and engagement in criminal activity. Future research is necessary to explore underlying mechanisms in patients with dual diagnosis and develop interventions to reduce their vulnerability for victimization.

KEYWORDS:

• Victimization
• dual diagnosis
• co-occurring disorders
• addiction
• substance dependence
• severe mental illness
• violence

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Onderzoek en Statistiek Amsterdam, Netherlands (Statistics Netherlands), for collecting the data in the general population of Amsterdam and providing us access.

Disclosures

Dr. Goudriaan received compensation as a consultant for TÜV InterCert Saar, Germany. The authors report no other financial relationships with commercial interests.

Funding

This research is funded by a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research within the program Violence Against Psychiatric Patients, awarded to Prof. J. J. M. Dekker and Prof. A. E. Goudriaan (grant number: 432-12-804).