Beata Karakiewicz
Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
Title: People with mental disorders-victims of violence
Biography
Biography: Beata Karakiewicz
Abstract
Introduction: Violence is a common phenomenon in everyday life. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, health or economic status. Increasingly, attention is being paid to violence against women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, but there is still little talk about violence experienced either by people with mental disorders. The aim of the study was to analyze the phenomenon of violence among people treated psychiatrically in the municipality of Szczecin, Poland.
Material and methods: The research was carried out in Poland, in 2017, by means of a diagnostic survey. Our own questionnaire was used for the study. It was used to carry out research on the phenomenon of violence among 95 people who were psychiatrically treated, using help in day care centers for people with mental disorders. Respondents answered questions about various aspects of the phenomenon of violence. They filled the questionnaire in the presence of a therapist, psychologist or social worker.
Results: Men treated psychiatrically more often experienced violence than women. The average age of the respondents was about 45 years. Almost all respondents were single people (87 people). Physical violence was the most common among people treated psychiatrically and experiencing violence (Fig. 1).
Conclusions: Violence in the psychiatric community is a long-term phenomenon. The dominant duration of victim violence is 5 years and more. It is essential to introduce tools to verify the occurrence of violence among psychiatric patients by therapists performing tasks for psychiatric patients.