Homicidality in schizophrenia: a replication study

Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2003 Jan;73(1):74-7. doi: 10.1037/0002-9432.73.1.74.

Abstract

This study attempted to replicate the results of R. C. Schwartz, S. Petersen, and J. L. Skaggs (2001) by testing predictors of homicidality in a new sample of participants with schizophrenia. Results of multiple regression analyses showed that manic symptoms and substance abuse were significantly positively correlated with more extreme homicidality. Global Assessment of Functioning scale ratings were significantly negatively correlated with ratings on homicidality. Finally, men displayed significantly heightened homicidality as compared with women. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that clinicians should pay particular attention to evaluating homicidality in patients who are male, have schizophrenia, who abuse substances, who show acute manic symptoms, and whose global functioning has recently declined.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Female
  • Homicide / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia*
  • Substance-Related Disorders