The study investigates the prevalence of abuse in adulthood in female users of psychiatric services, self-reported consequences of abuse, and needs for support.

N=1382 women participated. A self-administrated anonymous questionnaire was used. Quantitative data was analysed by mainly descriptive statistics and quantitative data was analysed by content analysis.

46% (n=638) of the women had been exposed to emotional, sexual and/or physical abuse in adulthood. Twenty-eight percent (n=385) reported experiences of moderate physical abuse, 27% (n=373) reported threats of injury, and 20% (n=277) reported threats of being killed. Further, 19% (n=261) stated experience of sexual violence, and 12% (n=164) had experiences of serious physical violence. Women who had been abused rated lower self-esteem than those who were not abused. Self-reported consequences of abuse included intrapersonal and social problems, and disease-specific manifestations. 43% of the women stated that they were in need of additional support mainly such as support directed to the experiences of abuse by professionals trained in the area, but also family interventions, self-help groups, medical care, legal support, or practical help to find new housing situations.

It is concluded that female users of psychiatric care services constitute a vulnerable group with regard to abuse and that the women need to be cared for in a different way as they are today. The care and support system have to adopt an ecological perspective in order to target the problems connected with female abuse in women with mental illness.