Schizophrenia and violence. Results of an enquiry in an Austrian province

The question as to whether schizophrenics have an increased potential for d elinquency and violent behavior has given rise to much controversy. During the past few years, a large number of epidemiological studies have demonstr ated a moderate but reliable relation between schizophrenic disorders and v iolence. In the present study, a new approach at investigation was used by evaluating the overall rate of convictions and commitments to psychiatric i nstitutions for general delinquency, violence, and homicide among schizophr enics. The most outstanding results demonstrated that the treatment of schi zophrenic offenders was only insufficiently covered by the psychiatric care system, showed the lack of compliance in the study group, and demonstrated the high significance of coexisting acute and chronic alcohol and drug abu se. The risk of delinquency and violent behavior was much higher in schizop hrenics than in the general population. It is indicated, however that menta lly ill delinquents are only of minor importance within the overall group o f offenders and that better preventive and therapeutic measures present opp ortunities for prevention.