title: Substance abuse amplifies the risk for violence in schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
abstract: The factors responsible for the association between schizophrenia and violence with or without co-occurring substance abuse have not been fully elucidated. The present study had two aims: (1) ascertain whether substance abuse augments the risk for violence in patients with schizophrenia; and, (2) determine whether violence is differentially related to positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. A sample of 133 adults were participated in this study. Patients with bizarre behavior and avolition-apathy symptoms were more likely to manifest violent behavior. In addition, patients with a history of criminal offenses and substance use disorder were more likely to exhibit violent behavior. Based on the results of this study, it is feasible to identify individual with schizophrenic spectrum disorder who are at high risk for violence.
authors.affiliation: Bakirkoy State Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erkiran
authors.forename: Havva
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozünalan
authors.forename: Cüneyt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evren
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aytaçlar
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kirisci
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*