Characteristics and violence risk factors of criminal offenses committed by patients with depression: An eight -year retrospective study in China

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Journal of psychiatric research Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.01.046

Wenqian Lu , Zhixuan Yao , Shujian Wang , Yan Gu , Yan Li , Zeqing Hu , Gangqin Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates a relationship between depression and violence; however, little is known about the characteristics of criminal offenses and the risk factors of violent offenses for patients with depression. This article analyzed the sociodemographic, criminological, and clinical characteristics of criminal offenses committed by patients with depression and the risk factors for violent offenses.

Methods

Criminal cases committed by patients with depression between January 2016 and December 2023 were collected in a national database named China Judgements Online and a forensic center. The sociodemographic, criminological and clinical characteristics of the cases and offenders were analyzed. Chi-squared test and independent sample t-test were used to compare the differences between violent and non-violent subgroups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of violent offenses.

Results

A total of 1781 criminal cases were enrolled, among which 1086 (61.0%) cases were violent offenses, and 695 (39.0%) cases were non-violent offenses. Significant differences were found between the violent group and the non-violent group in education level (p < 0.001), employment status (p < 0.001), disease stage (p < 0.001), and treatment history (p < 0.001). Male (OR = 2.336, 95% CI = 1.134–4.484), irritability (OR = 1.861, 95% CI = 1.063–3.596), and diagnosis of bipolar disorder (OR = 3.146, 95% CI = 1.053–9.399) were risk factors for violent offenses, while treatment and medication were protective factors.

Conclusion

Early identification, regular treatment, and dynamic risk management were critical for violence prevention in patients with depression, particularly in those exhibiting irritable symptoms. It is essential to educate many people, including family members, about the signs and symptoms of depression and effective communication strategies with patients.

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来源期刊

Journal of psychiatric research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

2.10%

发文量

622

审稿时长

130 days

期刊介绍： Founded in 1961 to report on the latest work in psychiatry and cognate disciplines, the Journal of Psychiatric Research is dedicated to innovative and timely studies of four important areas of research: (1) clinical studies of all disciplines relating to psychiatric illness, as well as normal human behaviour, including biochemical, physiological, genetic, environmental, social, psychological and epidemiological factors; (2) basic studies pertaining to psychiatry in such fields as neuropsychopharmacology, neuroendocrinology, electrophysiology, genetics, experimental psychology and epidemiology; (3) the growing application of clinical laboratory techniques in psychiatry, including imagery and spectroscopy of the brain, molecular biology and computer sciences;