A phenomenological approach to violence in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: examination of anomalous self-experience

Résumé fourni par la source

Persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) are at higher risk of becoming violent compared to the general population. Hence, obtaining a detailed account of characteristics of individuals with SSDs at high risk for committing violent acts is of high interest. A closer look on the phenomenological perspective by exploring basic self-disorders (BSDs) may help to better understand the complex interplay between schizophrenia and violence. To explore if persons with SSDs and a history of severe violence show distinct BSDs, clinical symptoms, sociodemographic data and BSDs were obtained in a sample of 33 male patients with SSDs, including 17 with a history of severe violence. Degree of BSDs were examined with the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE). EASE-scores were compared between the two groups. The EASE composite score (degree of BSDs) was lower in SSD patients with a history of severe violence compared to non-violent SSD patients. When controlling for confounders, insight turned out to be the key factor in the relationship. The results are inconclusive regarding an association between proneness to violent behaviour and level of basic self-disorders but suggest that such associations may exist and call for further investigations.

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