According to a new combined study from the King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry and University of Bristol, both men and women with mental disorders are more likely to have experienced or even be a victim of domestic violence than the common people, reports Medical Xpress.
The study analyzed data of 41 different studies worldwide and looked at a wide range of mental health issues in both men and women. In comparison of women without any mental health problems with women with different types of mental issues, it was found that maximum women with mental disorders were at a higher risk of domestic violence. Similarly men with all types of mental disorders were also victims of domestic violence but not at a higher rate like women, Medical Xpress reports.
Women with depressive mental disorders were more than twice likely to have experienced domestic violence compared to normal women without any mental health problems. Similarly, women with anxiety disorders were three and half times more likely and women with post traumatic stress disorder were seven times more like to have experienced domestic violence.
"In this study, we found that both men and women with mental health problems are at an increased risk of domestic violence," Professor Louise Howard, senior author of the study from King's Institute of Psychiatry said, according to Medical Xpress. "The evidence suggests that there are two things happening: domestic violence can often lead to victims developing mental health problems, and people with mental health problems are more likely to experience domestic violence."
"We hope this review will draw attention to the mental health needs of survivors of domestic violence and remind general practitioners and mental health teams that experience of domestic violence may lie behind the presentation of mental health problems," professor Gene Feder, co-author of the study from the University of Bristol's School of Social and Community Medicine and chief investigator of PROVIDE-a five year research program on domestic violence, said.
According to a British Crime Survey 2010/11 report, in the UK, 27 percent of women and 17 percent men experienced partner abuse, while women experienced more repeated violence than men. In attempt to reduce these numbers, the UK Home Office is going to amend its definition of domestic violence from March 2013.
Domestic violence will include 16 and 17 year olds, and will be defined in terms as "any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse."
"Mental health professionals need to be aware of the link between domestic violence and mental health problems, and ensure that their patients are safe from domestic violence and are treated for the mental health impact of such abuse," Howard said.
The study is funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and published in an online journal PLoS One.
