How patients with schizophrenia “as a Victim” cope with violence in Indonesia: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: There is increasing concern about the level of violence and people with schizophrenia. However, research about violence in correlation with schizophrenia mostly focuses on patients as offenders rather than victims. Phenomenology was chosen to explore experience of patients with schizophrenia as a victim coping with violence in Indonesia. Results: Of the 40 interviewees, average age was 35.8 years old (range 21–43). The 40 patients with schizophrenia comprised 26 males and 14 females. Violence typically included pushing, punching, or kicking, and restrained. The patient’s coping experiences as victims of violence were categorized into three themes: submission (n = 28), expression of anger to object (n = 33), and positive coping strategy (n = 23). Conclusion: To shorten the evaluation required to choose coping strategies, domestic violence education/psychoeducation would be relevant.