Alcohol abuse as the strongest risk factor for violent offending in patients with paranoid schizophrenia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Marija Kudumija Slijepčević
• Author: Vlado Jukić
• Author: Darko Novalić
• Author: Tija Žarković-Palijan
• Author: Milan Milošević
• Author: Ivana Rosenzweig
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

AIM:

To determine predictive risk factors for violent offending in patients with paranoid schizophrenia in Croatia. ----- METHOD:

The cross-sectional study including male in-patients with paranoid schizophrenia with (N=104) and without (N=102) history of physical violence and violent offending was conducted simultaneously in several hospitals in Croatia during one-year period (2010-2011). Data on their sociodemographic characteristics, duration of untreated illness phase (DUP), alcohol abuse, suicidal behavior, personality features, and insight into illness were collected and compared between groups. Binary logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of violent offending. ----- RESULTS:

Predictors of violent offending were older age, DUP before first contact with psychiatric services, and alcohol abuse. Regression model showed that the strongest positive predictive factor was harmful alcohol use, as determined by AUDIT test (odds ratio 37.01; 95% confidence interval 5.20-263.24). Psychopathy, emotional stability, and conscientiousness were significant positive predictive factors, while extroversion, pleasantness, and intellect were significant negative predictive factors for violent offending. ----- CONCLUSION:

This study found an association between alcohol abuse and the risk for violent offending in paranoid schizophrenia. We hope that this finding will help improve public and mental health prevention strategies in this vulnerable patient group.

• Keywords (english): Adolescent; Adult; Alcoholism/epidemiology; Alcoholism/psychology; Croatia/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries; Humans; Inpatients; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia, Paranoid/psychology; Violence/psychology; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Croatian Medical Journal
• Numbering: vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 156-162
• p-ISSN: 0353-9504
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2014.55.156
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:129253
• Publication: 2014-04
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2014.55.156
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-27 20:09:01