Article 6: Victimization Flashcards
What were the main findings from the study of victimization in schizophrenia?
The main findings of this study were:
(1) Victimization is common in people with SZ. Risk factors for victimization in SZ are substance abuse, poor living conditions, co-morbid personality disorder (Cluster B), young age at onset, poor social functioning and criminality.
(2) The presence of co-morbid personality disorders (Cluster B) was discovered to overlap as a risk factor from previous studies. SZ individuals who had severe clinical symptoms of SZ and substance abuse comorbidity at baseline were found to be at a higher risk of later victimisation in a previous study. This finding overlapped with the findings in the current study. Co-morbid personality disorders were found to be an independent predictor of victimisation.
(3) Other risk factors were social isolation (particularly from family members), being single and having been homeless in the two years prior to the current study. Poor social relationships was found to mediate the impact of mental disorders on the risk of victimisations even after taking into account substance abuse.
Why was it important that this was a longitudinal study?
There has been cross-sectional studies investigating the association between victimisation and a secondary diagnosis of personality disorders but it did not show a significant risk (i.e. the findings were not significant). A longitudinal study was necessary to investigate this association. In fact, that is the primary strength of this study. In other words, a longitudinal study design allows for the investigation for potential associations with victimisation.
What additional information did this give?
Based on these findings, the researchers were able to conclude that the type of personality disorders (in this case, those in Cluster B), rather than its severity, has the greatest impact on the risk of victimisation. This can be explained by the fact that people with Cluster B personality disorders tend to have relationship problems, victimization experiences and antisocial behaviour. Even after controlling for all other possible risk factors, a comorbid Cluster B personality disorder remained a strong and independent predictor of victimisation.
