Factors associated with screening positive for immediate or sustained distress from a longitudinal study of older victims of community crime

Background

The psychological impact of community crime on older people was significant, but there is a dearth of data assessing victims’ risk of sustained distress to inform practice.

Aim

To determine factors associated with initial distress and sustained depressive and/or anxiety symptoms following a community crime in older victims.

Method

In 12 UK urban areas, police screened older crime victims for distress within two months of a reported crime using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-2 scales and then rescreened those initially distressed at three months. Logistic regression identified associated factors, and screening costs were estimated.

Results

Of the 31% (2915/9391) of victims screened, 40% (1171/2915) were positive on at least one measure; 61% (717/1171) were rescreened and 50.4% (361/717) remained significantly distressed at three months. Sustained symptoms were associated with being female (odds ratio (OR) = 0.58 95% confidence interval (CI):0.40, 0.86. P = .007), having previous anxiety or depression (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.57. P = .004), their daily lives been affected (OR = 3.99, 95% CI: 2.60, 6.13. P < .001) and a change in sense of safety since crime (very much more unsafe OR = 15.39, 95% CI: 4.16, 56.95. P < .001). Sustained distress was decreased with home ownership (owner/occupier OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.69; private rented OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.67 vs council rented. P = .004). Factors associated with initial distress were also identified.

Conclusions

Crime-related distress was common and linked to sociodemographic factors and prior mental health issues; structured face-to-face assessments offered a quick, low-cost way to identify those at risk.