Factors associated with victimization in dual diagnosis patients

Marleen M. de Waal*, Carolien Christ, Jack J.M. Dekker, Martijn J. Kikkert, Nick M. Lommerse, Wim van den Brink, Anna E. Goudriaan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background Patients with a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental disorder are prone to victimization. There is a lack of research identifying variables related to violent and property victimization in this high risk group. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with violent and property victimization in male and female dual diagnosis patients in order to identify targets for prevention. Methods In a cross-sectional study, victimization and demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics were assessed in 243 treatment-seeking patients with dual diagnosis. Patients were recruited in an addiction-psychiatry clinic and an allied outpatient care facility in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Results In a multiple logistic regression analysis, violent victimization was independently associated with younger age, female gender, violent offending and a self-sacrificing and overly accommodating interpersonal style (p < 0.001; χ2 = 108.83, d.f. = 8, R2 = 0.49) in dual diagnosis patients. In male patients, violent victimization was independently associated with younger age, violent offending and a self-sacrificing and overly accommodating interpersonal style (p < 0.001; χ2 = 91.90, d.f. = 7, R2 = 0.56). In female patients, violent victimization was independently positively associated with homelessness, violent offending, a domineering/controlling interpersonal style, and negatively associated with being socially inhibited and cold/distant (p < 0.001; χ2 = 34.08, d.f. = 4, R2 = 0.53). Property victimization was independently associated with theft offending (p < 0.001, χ2 = 26.99, d.f. = 5, R2 = 0.14). Conclusions Given the high prevalence of victimization in dual diagnosis patients and its related problems, preventive interventions should be developed. Interventions should target interpersonal skills to decrease vulnerability to victimization, address the overlap between victimization and offending and incorporate gender-specific elements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-77
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume84
Early online date8 Nov 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Perpetration
  • Physical assault
  • Property crime
  • Substance dependence
  • Violence

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