THE SCALE FOR THE PREDICTION OF AGGRESSION AND DANGEROUSNESS IN PSYCHOTIC-PATIENTS (PAD) - A PROSPECTIVE PILOT-STUDY

The Scale for the Prediction of Aggression and Dangerousness in Psycho tic Patients (PAD) is a rating scale constructed for the assessment of psychotic patients in relation to 29 situations or interactions. The instrument is used to rate the potential of these situations/interacti ons for precipitating aggressive behavior in psychotic patients. These assessments result in a profile of situational vulnerability that des cribes a patient's potential for aggressive behavior in relation to th e 29 situations or interactions. In this pilot study, 10 psychotic pat ients at a special secure unit were assessed by means of this scale. A fter the completion of the PAD ratings, systematic observations of epi sodes involving verbal, threatened, and physical aggression were made throughout a 2-year follow-up period. The results indicate that the PA D was able to predict the patients' potential for aggression and, to s ome extent, the situations that were the most potent precipitants of a ggressive behavior.