Use of mental health services among victims of crime: frequency, correlates, and subsequent recovery

Abstract

The use of mental health services was examined within a sample of 392 victims of crime who were generally representative of that population in Kentucky. Respondents were interviewed twice at a 6-month interval. Of these victims, 12% had contact with mental health professionals within the first few months postcrime. Hierarchical discriminant analyses revealed that use of mental health services was most prevalent when depressive symptoms were present and the crime involved violence. Among victims of violence, urban residence, high social support, internal locus of control, and prior crime experience were also associated with use. The victims who recovered from the event most rapidly were those who reported receiving mental health services at both Waves 1 and 2. Implications of the study for policies and programs are discussed.