Violence, victimization and mental health

Abstract

Introduction: Violence and victimization are often viewed in black and white terms by mental health professionals, an approach which is belied by more nuanced perspectives from outside psychiatry.

Methods: Given increasing empirical evidence of the pervasive burden of victimization in people with mental illness, authors focused on the available theories and evidences from the literature.

Results: Authors summarize the theories of victimizations, the possible measures of this phenomenon and underlie the role of research to clarify the link between psychiatry, violence and victimization.

Conclusion: Violence and victimization need more space in the psychiatric research. This could have important implications for the lives of patients, but also for public understanding.

Keywords: Violence; mental health; victimization.