|
Citation
|
Casiano H, Hensel JM, Chartier MJ, Ekuma O, MacWilliam L, Mota N, McDougall C, Bolton JM. Can. J. Psychiatry 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
|
Affiliation
|
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. |
|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: Understand the relationship between criminal accusations, victimization, and mental disorders at a population level using administrative data from Manitoba, Canada.
METHOD: Residents aged 18 to 64 between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2012 (N = 793,024) with hospital- and physician-diagnosed mental disorders were compared to those without. Overall and per-person rates of criminal accusations and reported victimization in the 2011/2012 fiscal year were examined. Relative risks were calculated, adjusting for age, sex, income, and presence of a substance use disorder. The overlap between diagnosed mental disorders, accusations, and victimization with a χ2 test of independence was studied.
RESULTS: Twenty-four percent (n = 188,693) of the population had a mental disorder over the 5-year time frame. Four to fifteen percent of those with a mental disorder had a criminal accusation, compared to 2.4% of the referent group. Individuals with mental disorders, especially psychotic or personality disorders, were often living in low-income, urban neighborhoods. The adjusted relative risk of accusations and victimization remained 2 to 5 times higher in those with mental disorders compared to the referent group. Criminal accusations and victimization were most prevalent among individuals with a history of attempted suicide (15.2% had an accusation and 8.1% were victims). The risk of victimization in the same year as a criminal accusation was significantly increased among those with mental disorders compared to those without (χ2 = 211.8, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with mental disorders are at elevated risk of both criminal involvement and victimization. The identification of these multiply-stigmatized individuals may lead to better intervention and support.
Language: en |