Criminal Behaviour among Schizophrenics

Abstract

This study compared the criminal behaviour of schizophrenic patients with a group of hospitalized medical patients who were matched on the basis of age and sex. In addition to the typically employed dependent measure of offense conviction, this study also examined antisocial personality traits, undetected criminal behaviours, criminal charges, and incarceration. No significant differences between the groups were found across offense type (against property, against persons, victimless and motor vehicle violations). Schizophrenic patients, however, were found to be at greater risk for being victims of a violent offense when compared to the control group which seemed to be at a greater risk for becoming victims of non-violent crime.