NCJ Number
141953
Editor(s)
S Hodgins
Date Published
1993
Length
396 pages
Annotation
New findings and conclusions about the violence of the mentally disordered are presented by experts in the field to show that, contrary to previous contentions by mental health professionals, mental disorder substantially increases the risk of violent crime.
Abstract
As used by the authors, "aggressive behavior" refers to responses that deliver noxious stimuli to another person; the term "violence" refers to the more extreme forms of aggressive behavior that cause significant injuries to the victim. The term "mental disorder" is used differently by the authors. Some use it to refer only to the major disorders, while others include anxiety disorders, dysthymia, and personality disorders. Part I reviews recent investigations on the criminality and violence of those who suffer from major mental disorders. This section provides the most up-to-date knowledge on the subject. Part II presents investigations of the determinants of antisocial, aggressive, and violent behavior. The first three chapters in this section use a developmental framework and review findings from prospective studies that follow children through to adulthood. Four subsequent chapters examine biological factors associated with aggressive behavior. The final chapter in this section critically reviews current knowledge of alcohol and drugs consumption as triggers of violent behavior. Part III presents a reassessment of knowledge about crime and mental disorder and proposals for future research programs and policies concerning violent, mentally disordered persons. The volume concludes with a description of an early intervention program that has successfully reduced aggressive behavior among school boys, thereby reducing the likelihood of the development of more violent men. Chapter references, tabular data, and figures