Cited 6 times since 2018 (0.8 per year) source: EuropePMC Journal of affective disorders, Volume 238, 6 1 2018, Pages 405-411 Prevalence and predictors of violent victimization in remitted patients with recurrent depression. Christ C, de Jonge M, Bockting CLH, Kikkert MJ, van Schaik DJF, Beekman ATF, Dekker JJM
Background
Depressed patients are at increased risk to fall victim to a violent crime compared to the general population. It remains unknown whether their increased risk persists after remission. This study compared victimization rates of remitted patients with both a random general population sample and a group of currently depressed patients. Furthermore, this study aimed to identify predictors of future violent victimization.
Methods
In this longitudinal study conducted in the Netherlands, 12-month prevalence rates of sexual assaults, physical assaults, and threats were assessed with the Safety Monitor in 140 currently remitted patients with recurrent depression, and compared to those of a weighted general population sample (N = 9.175) and a weighted sample of currently depressed outpatients (N = 102) using Chi-square tests. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify baseline predictors of future victimization.
Results
The prevalence of violent victimization did not differ between remitted patients and the general population (12.1 vs. 11.7%). Remitted patients were significantly less likely to have been victimized over the past 12 months than currently depressed patients (12.1 vs. 35.5%). In remitted patients, living alone and low sense of mastery at baseline predicted future violent victimization. However, when combined in a multiple model, only living alone was independently associated with violent victimization (χ2 = 16.725, df = 2, p < .001, R2 = 0.221).
Limitations
Our comparison of victimization rates across samples was cross-sectional.
Conclusions
Since the increased risk of victimization appears to be specific for the acute depressive state, preventive interventions should target victimization in currently depressed patients.
Trial registration
Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): 2599.
