1. Relationship Between Violence, Childhood Abuse and Drug Abuse
Among Early Psychosis Subjects
Taylor Duncan-Presson, Nicole F. Mehdiyoun, Teresa C. Kulig,
Jenifer L. Vohs, Michael Francis, Alan Breier, and Emily Liffick
Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program
Department of Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Introduction
Methods
Methods
A chi-square test of independence was
performed on data collected from seventy
subjects to examine a link between each
variable of interest (childhood abuse and
drug use) and violent behavior. The
relationship of these variables to suicidal
behaviors was also examined.
Results
• Relationship between childhood abuse
and violent behavior was significant
(Figure 1)
• Relationship between drug use and
violent behavior was significant
(Figure 2)
• Relationship between childhood abuse
and suicidal behavior was significant
(Figure 3)
• Relationship between drug use and
suicidal behavior was not significant
(Figure 4)
Results
Summary & Conclusions
Our findings are consistent with prior
studies evaluating violence in subjects
with psychosis. The relationship between
drug use and violent behavior was
significant and is confirmed by previous
research (Monahan, et al., 2001). The link
between suicide attempts and drug abuse
was not significant and would be a
potential area for further study. While
collecting data it was difficult to
differentiate substance abuse and use
among subjects because dates of drug
use and period of use was not available
throughout all records. Additionally it was
difficult to categorize suicidal behavior and
ideation due to limitation in clinical
records.
These links in behavior provide health
care providers with a deeper
understanding of violence and substance
use in first episode subjects. Additionally,
these findings will help guide researchers
to formulate new studies.
References
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with
a wide range of speculated causes. Many
variables accompany early psychosis
diagnosis. Previous research has linked
violent behavior in patients with a co-
occurring diagnosis of substance abuse
and early psychosis (Monahan, et al.,
2001). Among additional variables other
studies have also suggested this
correlation. Researchers found that in
118 subjects with psychosis with a history
of abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional)
and legal issues, 69.6 % reported verbal
and physical aggression and 61%
reported substance abuse tendencies
(Spidel, et. al., 2010).
A correlational analysis was conducted on
the data collected from subjects in their
first episode of psychosis at Eskenazi
Health Midtown Community Mental Health
Center Prevention and Recovery Center
for Early Psychosis (PARC). We predicted
that both childhood abuse and drug use
would be correlated to violent behavior
and with suicidal and self-injurious
behavior.
Large, M. M., & Nielssen, O. (2011). Violence in first-episode psychosis: a systematic
review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia research, 125(2), 209-220.
Zeleznik, P. S. A. A. F. (2001). Rethinking Risk Assessment: The MacArthur Study of
Mental Disorder and Violence: The MacArthur Study of Mental Disorder and Violence.
Oxford University Press.
Erkiran, M., Özünalan, H., Evren, C., Aytaçlar, S., Kirisci, L., & Tarter, R. (2006).
Substance abuse amplifies the risk for violence in schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Addictive Behaviors, 31(10), 1797-1805.
Spidel, A., Lecomte, T., Greaves, C., Sahlstrom, K., & Yuille, J. C. (2010). Early
psychosis and aggression: Predictors and prevalence of violent behaviour amongst
individuals with early onset psychosis. International Journal Of Law And Psychiatry,
33(3), 171-176.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Indiana State Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and
Addiction
χ² (1, N=71)= 8.56, p <.01.
(1= no, 2= yes)
χ² (1, N= 71)= 4.29, p<.05.
(1= yes,2= no)
χ² (1, N=71)= 5.22, p<.01.
(1= no, 2= yes)
χ² (1, N= 68)= .06, p=.80.
(1=no, 2= yes)
Sex
(%)
Age Race
(%)
Behavior
Violent Self-Injurious
n=70
Male
(76%)
Female
(24%)
Range: 17-34
Average Age:
21.9
AA = 44
(63%)
W = 21
(30%)
Other =
5 (7%)
Yes
(26%)
No
(59%)
Unk
(7%)
Yes
(31%)
No
(43%)
Figure 3.
Figure 2.
Figure 4.
AA= African America W=White/Caucasian O=other (Hispanic, Middle
Eastern, Mixed Race)
Figure 1.