Psychological assessment of violent behaviors in schizophrenic patients followed up in My EL Hassan health center of Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

Disorders of the aggressive behavior frequently mark the entry in schizophrenia. They are not specific and very varied. The objective of this study was to assess the different risk factors associated with the manifestation of violent and aggressive behavior of schizophrenic patients who follow consultations in service of psychiatry at Kenitra, Morocco. One-hundred twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia were included, and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used respectively to assess the state of aggressiveness and to identify the type of psychotic symptomatology of schizophrenic patients. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained from all patients. The study shows that criminal history, drug addiction, motives for aggressiveness, and the moment of aggressiveness are all potential factors for aggression, and the profile of the patient likely to take the act is that of young schizophrenics under 39 years old, predominantly male, and the majority are single. Judicial history, habits toxic, and the positive psychotic symptoms are reported as the most frequently risk factors. The index of Cronbach (0.64) showed a strong connection between the four items of aggression and strong relation between MOAS and PANSS categories has been shown by independent test (p < 0.001). Aggressive behavior is a frequent symptom of schizophrenia in studied population and poses many clinical challenges. It requires collaboration with the patient for handling difficult situations.