Correlates of Aggressive Behaviour in Schizophrenia: An Overview

Abstract

Objective: This review aims to critically evaluate the reported biological, psychological and social correlates of aggression in schizophrenia and to delineate those correlates which could be of use clinically and those which require further research. Method: The literature from 1974–1996 was searched using Psychlit and supplemented by suggestions from senior members of the authors' Department. Results: Past history of aggression, psychopathology, extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptic medications, substance abuse, reduced serotonin function, antisocial and impulsive personality traits, neurological/neuropsychological deficits, electroen-cephalography, neuroimaging abnormalities and environmental factors were all found to be correlated with aggressive behaviour in schizophrenia. However, there are many methodological limitations of previous studies in this field, often leading to inconsistent and inconclusive findings. Conclusions: Some tentative conclusions regarding clinically useful predictors of aggression in schizophrenia can be drawn at this stage. There is a need for methodological limitations of previous studies to be overcome before more firm conclusions can be reached.