Crimes against discharged mental patients in board-and-care homes.

A survey of 278 persons discharged from mental hospitals who were living in board-and-care homes showed that one-third of them had been victims of crime during the preceding year. In a comparison of nonvictims, victims of theft, and victims of violence, it was found that victims of violence were younger, were more active socially, reported more psychopathology and less satisfaction with their lives, and engaged in more criminal behaviors themselves than the other groups. Both victim groups used emergency mental health services more than nonvictims did during the preceding year. Strategies for future research and interventions are discussed.