Do Violent Offenders With Schizophrenia Who Attack Family Members Differ From Those With Other Victims?

Abstract

Do violent offenders with schizophrenia who attack family members differ from those with other victims? Data on individual background factors were collected on all male offenders of violent crimes who for their first time were subject to forensic psychiatric evaluation in Sweden between 1992 and 2000 and were diagnosed with schizophrenia. In addition to descriptive data for the whole sample, analyses were made in order to identify possible characteristic factors for offenders who targeted family members. In comparison to offenders with other victims, the findings indicate an earlier onset of mental illness, in terms of that they were more likely to have interrupted their schooling at an earlier stage, were more likely to have had psychiatric contacts in childhood, to be younger when first compulsorily admitted to psychiatric inpatient treatment, and they were also younger when they committed the index crime. The findings suggest the need to address the possibility of violent behavior within the family when managing patients with major mental disorders.