Schizophrenia and Crime How Predictable Are Charg

Authors: R Walter Heinrichs Eleanor P Sam

Publish Date: 2010/12/15

Volume: 10, Issue: 1, Pages: 122-131

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Abstract

The schizophreniacrime relationship was studied in 151 research participants meeting DSMIV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and with histories positive or negative for criminal charges convictions and offences involving violence These crimerelated variables were regressed on a block of nine predictors reflecting nonspecific illness context eg demographic social and a block of 14 predictors reflecting specific illness content eg symptoms Context variables predicted charges with unique contributions from employment status education and substance use Further significant validity was provided by contentrelated predictors including symptoms paranoia depression low energy but not cognitive performance verbal and nonverbal ability working memory processing speed verbal memory word fluency inhibition practical cognition In contrast neither convictions nor violence were predicted by illness context or content variables These results suggest that specific contextual and intrinsic aspects of schizophrenic illness make interaction with law enforcement and therefore criminal charges more likely

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