Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study
Abstract Background Family violence is a leading social determinant of mental ill-health but its link to mental health-related emergency department presentations is poorly understood. Existing research has largely used retrospective designs with a focus on victimisation, typically among women. We ex...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17570-y |
| _version_ | 1797355481128239104 |
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| author | Nina Papalia Melanie Simmons Michael Trood Troy McEwan Benjamin Spivak |
| author_facet | Nina Papalia Melanie Simmons Michael Trood Troy McEwan Benjamin Spivak |
| author_sort | Nina Papalia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Family violence is a leading social determinant of mental ill-health but its link to mental health-related emergency department presentations is poorly understood. Existing research has largely used retrospective designs with a focus on victimisation, typically among women. We examined whether police-reported family violence victimisation and perpetration were prospectively associated with mental health emergency department presentations in women and men. We also identified family violence risk and vulnerability characteristics associated with such presentations. Methods Demographics, prior police involvement, and individual and relationship vulnerabilities were provided by Victoria Police for 1520 affected family members (i.e., primary victims) and 1470 respondents (i.e., persons alleged to have perpetrated family violence) from family violence reports in 2016–17. Emergency mental health presentations 22–30 months post-family-violence report were determined through linkage with the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and compared to statewide presentations. Results Emergency mental health presentations during follow-up were identified in 14.3% of the family violence sample, with 1.9% presenting for self-harm. Mental health presentation rates per 1,000 people were markedly higher among affected family members and respondents of both sexes and all ages than in the general population, except for male affected family members aged 45 + . Adjusting for age and sex, the mental health presentation rate was 6 and 11 times higher among affected family members and respondents, respectively, than in the general population. Individual vulnerabilities were more closely related to risk of emergency mental health presentations than relationship characteristics. Conclusions Police-recorded family violence is associated with increased mental health-related emergency department presentations over the short-to-medium term. Strengthened cross-sector collaboration is needed to identify, address, and refer individuals with overlapping family violence and mental health needs and to improve victims’ and perpetrators’ access to community mental health and related services. This should help prevent individuals from reaching a crisis point in their mental health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:11:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ff57faf45cd54db098d5925980df0e97 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:11:47Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-ff57faf45cd54db098d5925980df0e972024-01-14T12:41:40ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-01-0124111310.1186/s12889-023-17570-yPolice-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage studyNina Papalia0Melanie Simmons1Michael Trood2Troy McEwan3Benjamin Spivak4Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)Abstract Background Family violence is a leading social determinant of mental ill-health but its link to mental health-related emergency department presentations is poorly understood. Existing research has largely used retrospective designs with a focus on victimisation, typically among women. We examined whether police-reported family violence victimisation and perpetration were prospectively associated with mental health emergency department presentations in women and men. We also identified family violence risk and vulnerability characteristics associated with such presentations. Methods Demographics, prior police involvement, and individual and relationship vulnerabilities were provided by Victoria Police for 1520 affected family members (i.e., primary victims) and 1470 respondents (i.e., persons alleged to have perpetrated family violence) from family violence reports in 2016–17. Emergency mental health presentations 22–30 months post-family-violence report were determined through linkage with the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and compared to statewide presentations. Results Emergency mental health presentations during follow-up were identified in 14.3% of the family violence sample, with 1.9% presenting for self-harm. Mental health presentation rates per 1,000 people were markedly higher among affected family members and respondents of both sexes and all ages than in the general population, except for male affected family members aged 45 + . Adjusting for age and sex, the mental health presentation rate was 6 and 11 times higher among affected family members and respondents, respectively, than in the general population. Individual vulnerabilities were more closely related to risk of emergency mental health presentations than relationship characteristics. Conclusions Police-recorded family violence is associated with increased mental health-related emergency department presentations over the short-to-medium term. Strengthened cross-sector collaboration is needed to identify, address, and refer individuals with overlapping family violence and mental health needs and to improve victims’ and perpetrators’ access to community mental health and related services. This should help prevent individuals from reaching a crisis point in their mental health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17570-yFamily violenceVictimisationPerpetrationSelf-harmMental illnessSubstance abuse |
| spellingShingle | Nina Papalia Melanie Simmons Michael Trood Troy McEwan Benjamin Spivak Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study BMC Public Health Family violence Victimisation Perpetration Self-harm Mental illness Substance abuse |
| title | Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study |
| title_full | Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study |
| title_fullStr | Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study |
| title_short | Police-reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health-related emergency department presentations: an Australian data-linkage study |
| title_sort | police reported family violence victimisation or perpetration and mental health related emergency department presentations an australian data linkage study |
| topic | Family violence Victimisation Perpetration Self-harm Mental illness Substance abuse |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17570-y |
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