Prevalence of Victimization Among Adults with Severe Mental Illness Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Isabella Carvalho Oliveira Rocha, Alexandre Martins Valença, Evandro Silva Freire Coutinho et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined victimization prevalence and correlates among adults with severe mental illness in clinical samples. Thirty studies were included, covering different forms of victimization in men and women. Using random-effects models, the authors estimated a pooled prevalence of victimization over a period of up to 12 months of 33.3%. They also reported substantial heterogeneity across studies and a lack of standardized methods for assessing victimization. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were identified as important correlates, although the abstract does not specify individual factors or their effect sizes.
Key findings
- Pooled victimization prevalence over a period of up to 12 months was 33.3%.
- The review included 30 studies and found substantial heterogeneity in victimization estimates.
- Sociodemographic and clinical factors were reported as important correlates of victimization.
Why it matters
The pooled estimate indicates that victimization is a substantial concern in clinical populations with severe mental illness. Awareness of this burden may support attention to violence exposure in care and inform efforts to identify people who could be at higher risk. However, variation in assessment methods and study findings limits how precisely the pooled estimate can be applied across settings.
What to keep in mind
The review found a lack of standardized victimization assessment and substantial heterogeneity among studies, limiting comparability and interpretation of the pooled estimate.