Mental health professionals' knowledge, skills and attitudes on domestic violence and abuse in the Netherlands: cross-sectional study

Roos E Ruijne; Astrid M Kamperman; Kylee Trevillion; Carlo Garofalo; Femke E Jongejan; Stefan Bogaerts; Louise M Howard; Niels L Mulder

doi:10.1192/bjo.2019.8

Mental health professionals' knowledge, skills and attitudes on domestic violence and abuse in the Netherlands: cross-sectional study

BJPsych Open. 2019 Mar;5(2):e29. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2019.8.

Authors

Roos E Ruijne¹, Astrid M Kamperman², Kylee Trevillion³, Carlo Garofalo⁴, Femke E Jongejan⁵, Stefan Bogaerts⁶, Louise M Howard⁷, Niels L Mulder⁸

Affiliations

¹ Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry,Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam,the Netherlands.
² Epidemiologist, Assistant Professor, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute,Department of Psychiatry,Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam,the Netherlands.
³ Lecturer, Research Fellow, Section of Women's Mental Health,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,UK.
⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental Psychology,Tilburg University; andFivoor Science & Treatment Innovation,the Netherlands.
⁵ Research Assistant, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute,Department of Psychiatry,Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam,the Netherlands.
⁶ Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology,Tilburg University; andFivoor Science & Treatment Innovation,the Netherlands.
⁷ NIHR Research Professor, Professor in Women's Mental Health, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Section of Women's Mental Health,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience,King's College London,UK.
⁸ Professor in Public Mental Health, Psychiatrist, Epidemiological and Social Psychiatric Research Institute,Department of Psychiatry,Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam; andBavo Europoort Mental Healthcare Organization,the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: Despite the high prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) among patients with psychiatric conditions, detection rates are low. Limited knowledge and skills on DVA in mental healthcare (MHC) professionals might contribute to poor identification.AimsTo assess the level of, and factors associated with, DVA knowledge and skills among MHC professionals.

Method: A total of 278 professionals in Dutch MHC institutions completed a survey assessing factual knowledge, perceived knowledge, perceived skills and attitudes about DVA.

Results: On average, low scores were reported for perceived skills and knowledge. MHC professionals in primary care scored higher than those working with individuals with severe mental illness (P<0.005). Levels of factual knowledge were higher; levels of attitudes moderate. Previous training was positively associated with skills (odds ratios (OR) = 3.0) and attitudes (OR = 2.7). Years of work was negatively associated with factual knowledge (OR = 0.97). Larger case-loads predicted higher scores on skills (OR = 2.1).

Conclusions: Training is needed, particularly for clinicians working with patients with severe mental illness.Declaration of interestNone.

Keywords: Domestic violence and abuse; community mental health teams; cross-sectional study.