[Aggressive behaviour and substance abuse among schizophrenic adolescents compared to antisocial adolescents--a follow-up study].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze aggressive behaviour towards others by schizophrenic as opposed to antisocial adolescents, and the influence of substance abuse before, during and after their hospitalization.


METHODS
We analyzed 21 schizophrenic adolescents and compared their aggressive behaviour and their substance abuse to that of 21 antisocial juveniles before and during their hospitalization and again at the time of a follow-up interview. The two samples were matched for age, sex and intelligence. In a first step, data were gathered from the hospital records, in a second step, for follow-up data we conducted standardized telephone interview with the patient and his or her parent or caregiver. Within the analysis we focused on aggressive behaviour towards other people and objects, as well as on criminal acts and regular substance abuse.


RESULTS
We found less aggressive behaviour among psychotic patients during and post-hospitalization than among their antisocial counterparts. As inpatients, the acutely psychotic juveniles were at higher risk for aggressive acts, but adequate treatment subdued their offensive behaviour. In the long term, there were fewer criminal arrests among psychotic patients. Only in connection with their substance abuse, their aggressive misconduct towards others increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that drug treatment during adolescence might help to lessen the risk of aggressive behaviour towards others.
Sevecke
Kathrin
K
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters der Universität zu Köln. mail@kathrin-sevecke.de
Dreher
Jan
J
Walger
Petra
P
Junglas
Jürgen
J
Lehmkuhl
Gerd
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000359:Aftercare / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D012307:Risk Factors; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
D013287:Illicit Drugs