Prevalence and characteristics of domestic violence in a sample of adult psychiatric outpatients: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between domestic violence and mental health is intricate and complex. Domestic violence can be categorised into intimate partner violence and family violence. While most studies have focused on the former, less is known about the prevalence and the characteristics of family violence among adult mental health patients. Moreover, data is lacking on the needs of mental healthcare users who are victims of domestic violence, in terms of specific (legal and social) support. The present study aims to assess the prevalence and the characteristics of recent (<12 months) domestic violence in its two forms among a population of adult outpatients undergoing intensive psychiatric follow up. The sample included 206 participants, mostly women (71%), aged 19 to 64 (mean age 36, SD 11.8). The extended version of the Hit, Insult, Threat and Scream Scale (E-HITS) was used to screen intimate partner violence and domestic violence. The prevalence of recent domestic violence was 29.1%. Specifically, 16.5% had been victims of intimate partner violence and 12.6% of family violence. Women showed a statistically higher risk of facing domestic violence. No significant differences were observed in other socio-demographic characteristics (living conditions, marital status, residence permit, employment, education) or in previous recourse to emergency care. FV was especially prevalent among young patients, even though statistical significance was not reached. While previous disclosure rates were surprisingly high among the victims of intimate partner violence and family violence (70%), the victims of family violence (7.7%) were given significantly less specific support than the victims of intimate partner violence (41%). These findings confirm the notion that domestic violence is highly prevalent in mental health settings, and that violence is not limited to couples. Clinicians should be careful when detecting family violence especially among young patients, whose self-protection could be hindered by psychological and material boundaries.