NCJ Number
208208
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse: A Review Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 40-54
Date Published
January 2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the research literature pertaining to the violence of adults with severe mental illness (SMI) against their family caregivers.
Abstract
There has been little empirical research conducted on the phenomenon of severely mentally ill adults being violent toward, or threatening, other family members, particularly their family caregiver. It is essential that this type of family violence is addressed in order to provide needed family support. The current article reviews the scarce empirical research in this area and proposes a conceptual framework to stimulate future study about family violence involving adults with SMI. An estimated 50 percent of adults with SMI live with their families and the majority of adults with SMI live in the community, relying on a family member for support. It is impossible to shape public policy concerning violence in these types of families without clear empirical evidence of the etiology of family violence involving individuals with SMI. The conceptual framework of violence against family caregivers by their relatives with SMI appreciates that this type of violence is not a unilateral phenomenon, but instead occurs within the complex social circumstances and experiences of the individual and the family. The three explanatory factors considered in the framework include: (1) psychiatric factors, (2) family caregiver factors, and (3) quality of the interpersonal relationship. Focusing on all three factors overcomes the challenges of past research that focused solely on the SMI individual. Future research should work toward identifying modifiable factors that can reduce the level of violence against family caregivers. Implications for practice and policy are discussed. Figure, references