title: Criminal behavior among persons with schizophrenia in rural China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is to explore the prevalence and risk factors for self-reported criminal behavior among persons with schizophrenia in rural China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from a 14-year prospective follow-up study (1994-2008) of criminal behavior among a cohort (N=510) of persons with schizophrenia in Xinjin County, China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of criminal behavior was 10.0% among persons with schizophrenia in a rural community during the follow-up period. Bivariate analyses showed that the risk of criminal behavior was significantly associated with being male, unmarried, previous violent behavior, homelessness, no family caregivers, and high scores on measures of total symptoms of illness. In multivariate logistic regression analyses being male and previous violent behavior were identified as independent predictors of increased criminal behavior in persons with schizophrenia in the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Criminal behavior is a common phenomenon among patients with schizophrenia in rural China. The findings of the risk factors for criminal behavior should be considered in planning mental health interventions for high-risk patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: Division of Social Work, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923, USA. ranmaosh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mao-Sheng
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ran
authors.forename: Peng-Yu
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Cecilia Lai-Wan
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Eric Yu-Hai
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cui-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Wen-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: J Steven
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.forename: Yeates
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Conwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult