Citation

Fresan A, Apiquian R, Nicolini H, Cervantes JJ. Schizophr. Res. 2007; 94(1-3): 74-80.

Affiliation

Clinical Research Division, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente, Calz. México-Xochimilco 101, Mexico City, 14370 Mexico. fresan@imp.edu.mx

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.schres.2007.04.005

PMID

17509835

Abstract

Preliminary evidence shows that personality traits are important in determining violent behavior in schizophrenia. As only some patients with schizophrenia show a greater risk for violence, this risk may therefore be considered as dynamic, varying as a function of the extent to which certain personality dimensions are present and the degree to which environmental events moderate or exacerbate their expression. OBJECTIVE: To compare temperament and character dimensions between violent and non-violent schizophrenic patients and to determine which temperament and character dimensions are predictors of violent behavior in schizophrenia. METHOD: We recruited 102 schizophrenic patients without concomitant substance abuse 4 months prior to the assessment. Diagnoses were based on the SCID-I. Personality dimensions were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory and violent behaviors with the Overt Aggression Scale. RESULTS: Higher levels of the temperament dimension novelty seeking and a lower cooperativeness, as a character dimension, were risk factors for violent behavior in schizophrenic patients. DISCUSSION: Our data indicate that schizophrenic patients will show a greater risk for violence according to certain personality configurations and the degree to which environmental events moderate or exacerbate their expression.

Language: en