Mental health correlates of criminal victimization: A random community survey.

Interviewed a representative sample of 2,004 women (aged 18 yrs and older) about victimization experiences and mental health problems. After classification of the women into victimization groups, the occurrence of 3 mental health problems was compared across type of crime. Rates of "nervous breakdowns," suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts were significantly higher for crime victims than for nonvictims. Victims of attempted rape, completed rape, and attempted sexual molestation had problems more frequently than did victims of attempted robbery, completed robbery, aggravated assault, or completed molestation. Problems were not mediated by income and were affected only marginally by age and race. Nearly 1 rape victim in 5 (19.2%) had attempted suicide, whereas only 2.2% of nonvictims had done so. Most sexual assault victims' mental health problems came after their victimization. Findings suggest that crime victims are at risk for the development of major mental health problems, some of which are life threatening in nature. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)