Violence, sensation seeking, and impulsivity in schizophrenics found unfit to stand
trial.
S. Z. Kaliski and T. Zabow,
Bull. Amer. Acad. Psychiatry & the Law
23(1): 147-55, 1995.
Many studies have confirmed an association between violent behavior, impulsivity, and sensation
seeking in nonpsychotic subjects. Schizophrenic patients (n = 49) who had been found unfit to stand
trial were investigated for violence, according to index offenses and longitudinal histories (before
and after admission) for violence. Those charged with violent offenses were significantly more often
married with children, and were equally likely to direct their assaultiveness to strangers,
acquaintances, and family members. The nature of the index offense seemed to be a good indicator
of general violent propensity. No significant differences were found on Barratt's Impulsivity Scale
and Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale, except that schizophrenic patients with negative histories
of violence scored higher on the thrill and adventure subscale. No pattern of substance abuse
differentiated the groups. Patients charged with violent offenses more often presented with
persecutory delusions, but this did not extend to those whose histories were positive for repetitive
violence. Although impulsivity and sensation seeking do not seem to cause violent behavior in this
group, psychopathology can also only be regarded as a necessary but not sufficient determinant.