This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by CLARE, P.
Right arrow Articles by CLARK, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by CLARE, P.
Right arrow Articles by CLARK, A.
The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 177: 275-279
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

PRELIMINARY REPORT

Relationship between psychotic disorders in adolescence and criminally violent behaviour

A retrospective examination

PATRICK CLARE, MRCPsych, Specialist Registrar in Adolescent Psychiatry

Salford

SUSAN BAILEY, FRCPsych, Consultant in Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry

Salford

ANDREW CLARK, MRCPsych, Senior Lecturer in Adolescent Psychiatry

University of Manchester

Correspondence: Dr P. Clare, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Booth Hall Hospital, Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester M97AA

Declaration of Interest None.

Background The interaction between psychosis and violence in adults is an important area of research receiving attention. To date there is little available data examining this relationship in adolescence.

Aims To investigate the possible relationships between criminally violent types of behaviour, and psychopathology and social factors, among adolescents suffering from a psychotic disorder.

Method A retrospective case note study of 39 in-patients diagnosed as having a psychotic disorder and admitted to one of two adolescent psychiatry units (one secure, one open). Cases were divided into a ‘violent’ and a ‘non-violent’ group, and these two groups were then compared for social and psychopathological variables.

Results There was no association between recorded psychopathology and criminally violent behaviour. Criminally violent behaviour was associated with a history of emotional or physical abuse, contact with social or mental health services, and previous criminal behaviour.

Conclusions These findings fail to echo results of studies in adult schizophrenia; they suggest that violent behaviour in psychosis is associated more closely with social factors than with specific symptoms of the psychotic illness. Potential explanations are discussed.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Adv. Psychiatr. Treat.Home page
S. Bailey
Violent children: a framework for assessment
Adv. Psychiatr. Treat., March 1, 2002; 8(2): 97 - 106.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Adv. Psychiatr. Treat.Home page
A. F. Clark
Proposed treatment for adolescent psychosis. 1: Schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychoses
Adv. Psychiatr. Treat., January 1, 2001; 7(1): 16 - 23.
[Full Text]