Lifetime rates and correlates of crime victimisation in young people with mental ill-health

Abstract

Objective:

Research on crime victimisation in the mentally ill has focused on middle aged cohorts with long-standing illness and functional disability. The rates and correlates of victimisation in young cohorts is largely unknown.

Methods:

Participants (n=776) were aged 12–25 years attending headspace centres in Australia, who consented to a clinical interview and provided self-reported data regarding lifetime victimisation.

Results:

A quarter of the sample (24.5%) reported crime victimisation, including 18.5% who experienced violent victimisation (mainly physical or sexual assault) and 14.1% non-violent crime. Both forms of victimisation were associated with illicit substance use, sexual orientation, and young adult age, while male gender was specifically associated with non-violent victimisation. Participants who reported violent victimisation were significantly more impaired both functionally and clinically than those reporting non-violent victimisation or no victimisation.

Conclusions:

Young people with mental ill-health are vulnerable to criminal victimisation, particularly violent assaults, although the lifetime rates of victimisation are substantially lower than those observed in older cohorts with serious mental illness. Effective, early intervention to address modifiable factors may reduce the risk of further victimisation.