New study on the role of insight in violence & criminalization

An upcoming study of factors contributing to violence and criminality of patients with schizophrenia illustrates the importance of addressing lack of insight and treatment nonadherence.

Researchers reviewed German crime registries for records of criminal offences committed by 1662 patients with schizophrenia treated between 1990 and 1995 at the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich. Of the 1662 individuals, one hundred and sixty nine (10.2%) had been convicted in the 7–12 years after discharge. The rate of violent crimes was especially high: 62 (3.7%) patients were convicted for physical injury offences. Significantly higher rates of criminal conviction and recidivism were found for patients with lack of insight at discharge.