Risk-Increasing and Risk-Reducing Factors for Violence: A Qualitative Study of Forensic Patients’ Perceptions

Abstract

This study investigated forensic patients’ perceptions of relevant factors for violence risk, to facilitate an understanding of potential reasons for violence and the effect of risk management interventions. Semi-structured interviews with 13 forensic patients were analyzed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach. The sample of participants could identify an array of potentially relevant factors for their use of violence related to themselves, the external context, social and relational aspects, as well as situational factors. Most also actively strived to manage such risk. Considering patients’ perceptions could potentially add relevant perspectives and improve clinical and structured risk assessments.

Keywords:

• Violence
• risk factors
• protective factors
• patient perceptions
• risk assessment

Declaration of interest

None.