Premium
Clinical Manifestations of Aggressive Acts by Schizophrenic Inpatients: A Prospective Study
Author(s) -
Chen ShingChia,
Hwu HaiGwo,
Hsiung PingChuan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00277.x
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , prospective cohort study , medicine , psychiatry , aggression , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , pediatrics , psychology , physics , optics
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical manifestations of aggressive acts by schizophrenic patients during hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective study followed 107 schizophrenic patients admitted to an acute psychiatric ward in Taiwan. The Chinese version of the Violence Scale was used to count and rate aggressive acts. The categories of the trend of aggressive acts were analyzed. FINDINGS: The highest incidence rate of aggressive acts (58.9%) occurred during the initial week of hospitalization and decreased through the fourth week (16.9%). Most were disturbing but not severe. The incidence and decrease patterns of aggressive acts were found. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Aggressive acts can be prevented and managed.