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People with mental health problems were more likely than others to experience domestic violence
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Men and women with mental disorders are more likely than the general population to become victims of domestic violence, according to scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, who collaborated with the University of Bristol during the study.
Previous studies looking at the link between domestic violence and psychological problems have focused primarily on depression, while the new study looked at a broader range of psychological disorders in both men and women.
The authors of the study, funded by the UK's National Institute for Health Research and published in Plos One, analysed the results of 41 previous studies conducted around the world.
Compared to mentally healthy women, women with depressive disorders were two and a half times more likely to become victims of domestic violence in adulthood. Among women with anxiety neurosis, in relative figures, there were three and a half times more victims of domestic violence than among mentally healthy representatives of the fairer sex. Among women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, this figure was seven times higher than among mentally healthy women.
Women with other mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, common mental disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are also at higher risk of domestic violence.
Men with any type of mental health problem are also at higher risk of domestic violence, although the risk is not as pronounced. This is because men are less likely to be victims of domestic violence in general.
Professor Louise Howard, lead author of the study from the Royal Institute of Psychiatry, explained: "In this study we found that both women and men with mental health problems were at increased risk of being victims of domestic abuse. This suggests two things: firstly, that domestic abuse often leads to mental health problems in victims, and secondly, that people with mental health problems are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse."
This study is part of the PROVIDE program, a five-year program that aims to study the problem of domestic violence in as much detail as possible.
Professor Gene Feder, co-author of the study from the University of Bristol's School of Social and Community Medicine, said: "We hope our programme will raise awareness of the issue of physical abuse in families against people with mental health problems."
In the future, scientists within the PROVIDE program plan to make 16-17 year old teenagers the object of their research, whereas until now the problem of domestic violence has only been considered by them among adults.
"Psychiatrists need to be aware of the links between domestic violence and mental health problems. They need to ensure that their patients are not victims of domestic violence. They also need to effectively treat the consequences of abuse in families," concluded Professor Louise Howard.
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