Citation

Norris FH, Kaniasty KZ, Scheer DA. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 1990; 58(5): 538-547.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30303.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2254499

Abstract

The use of mental health services was examined within a sample of 392 victims of crime who were generally representative of that population in Kentucky. Respondents were interviewed twice at a 6-month interval. Of these victims, 12% had contact with mental health professionals within the first few months postcrime. Hierarchical discriminant analyses revealed that use of mental health services was most prevalent when depressive symptoms were present and the crime involved violence. Among victims of violence, urban residence, high social support, internal locus of control, and prior crime experience were also associated with use. The victims who recovered from the event most rapidly were those who reported receiving mental health services at both Waves 1 and 2. Implications of the study for policies and programs are discussed.

Language: en