An exploration of criminal thinking styles among civil psychiatric patients.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have found a relationship between psychiatric illness and criminal behaviour. Despite this, few studies have examined the presence of criminal thinking among civil psychiatric patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to explore the patterns and correlates of criminal thinking, using the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), in a sample of civil psychiatric patients.


METHODS
The PICTS (Layperson Edition) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Anchored Version; BPRS) were administered to 76 civil psychiatric patients. PICTS scores were compared with those of offenders from a previously published study. Bivariate tests were conducted between selected PICTS scales, BPRS factors, demographic and criminal history variables. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed to assess those variables that predicted the general criminal thinking, proactive and reactive composite scales of the PICTS.


RESULTS
Independent samples t-tests revealed that five PICTS thinking styles were significantly higher in the psychiatric sample compared with the comparison sample of criminal offenders. Bivariate correlations revealed that the PICTS proactive composite scale was significantly related to and predicted by substance abuse and arrest history. CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Thinking styles which are typically associated with criminality were found in this sample of civil psychiatric patients. Cognitive remediation strategies targeting these may help to prevent criminal activity in psychiatric patients.
Carr
William Amory
WA
Department of Psychology, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. acarr@newhaven.edu
Rosenfeld
Barry
B
Magyar
Melissa
M
Rotter
Merrill
M
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking; D014481:United States