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The community prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Japan is less than 1%. To study effects of family violence and mental illness on this risk, investigators examined Japanese survey data from 353 parents caring for adult offspring; the families were members of a prefecture-level, family self-help group association.
Respondents (mean age, 69; mothers, 68%) were screened for PTSD symptoms and queried about their experiences of violence at the hands of their children. About 70% of respondents were primary caregivers; 84% lived with the patients. Of the offspring (mean age, 39; men, 63%), 19% had never been hospitalized, 87% visited a psychiatrist regularly, and 95% reportedly took medication as prescribed.
Overall, 56% of respo…