SCALE FOR THE PREDICTION OF AGGRESSION AND DANGEROUSNESS IN PSYCHOTIC-PATIENTS, AN INTRODUCTION

The design and theoretical bases of the Scale for the Prediction of Ag gression and Dangerousness in Psychotic Patients (PAD) are described. The scale is based on an interactional understanding of aggressive beh aviour in psychotic patients. This model emphasizes detailed analyses of each patient's situational and interactional vulnerability, in addi tion to personality variables, for improved prediction of aggressive b ehaviour. Situational vulnerability is thus defined as increased likel ihood to act aggressively towards others in a given interaction. Based on 29 items grouped in 7 main categories, the PAD scares describe a p atient's profile of interactional vulnerability. Empirical data from t he clinical and research application of PAD at a special secure unit f or dangerous patients are presented.