We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Violence among schizophrenia out-patients compliant with medication: prevalence and associated factors.
- Authors
Bobes, J.; Fillat, O.; Arango, C.
- Abstract
Objective: Aggressive behaviour has been related to schizophrenia both in in-patient and out-patient samples. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with aggressive behaviour in out-patient compliant with their prescribed medication. Method: Eight hundred and ninety-five patients were interviewed at Community-Based Mental Health Services about aggressive–violent behaviour within the week prior to the study visit. Adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and receiving stable pharmacological treatment were enrolled. Presence of aggressive episodes, including type of aggression, severity and frequency, was assessed with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Violence was defined as a score of 3 or more in any of the MOAS subscores. Results: Prevalence of recent aggressive behaviour was 5.07%, (95% CI 5.04–5.10), where 47% (43 behaviours 91) reached the violent threshold. Among the 91 violent episodes rated, most episodes were verbal (44%), followed by physical violence towards objects (29%), violence towards others (19%) and self-directed violence (8%). Recent episodes of any severity were more likely among patients with a history of violence and also with relapses within the previous year and with low treatment satisfaction. Conclusion: Five per cent of the studied cases showed aggressive behaviour in the week prior to assessment, despite having been compliant with their medication. Most aggressive behaviour was verbal rather than physical.
- Subjects
AGGRESSION (Psychology); VIOLENCE; PEOPLE with schizophrenia; SCHIZOPHRENIA; OUTPATIENT medical care; COMMUNITY mental health services
- Publication
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2009, Vol 119, Issue 3, p218
- ISSN
0001-690X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01302.x