No idle threat: Precursors to action in threateners with mental illness

This thesis examined threats of violence made by persons with mental illness and in particular, who acts on violent threats and who does not. Threats were common occurrences and 55% per cent of threateners went on to be violent. Several predictors of violence were identified, including younger age, intellectual impairment and active mood and/or psychotic symptoms. Methods for preventing, identifying and managing threat-related violence were explored. This research has practical implications for those working in mental health settings and those supporting people who have a mental illness and make threats of violence