Citation

Lewis DO. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 1992; 31(3): 383-391.

Affiliation

New York University School of Medicine, New York City.

Comment In:

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1993;32(1):221

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1350582

Abstract

This paper reviews the psychophysiological literature related to violent behaviors. It explores the interactions of environmental influences, pain, stressors, hormones, and neurotransmitters. It presents ways in which maltreatment in the form of abuse or neglect exacerbates preexisting psychobiological vulnerabilities. It proposes that whatever forces increase impulsivity and irritability, engender hypervigilence and paranoia, diminish judgment and verbal competence, and curtail the recognition of pain in the self and others, will enhance violence, and presents evidence that maltreatment has all of these effects.

Language: en