To investigate the factors affecting re-offending by daignosed schizophrenics, the study collected data on 133 cases who received forensic evaluation referred by the district attorney or court during the period July 1995 to June 2004. Using survival analysis, the study compared those who re-offended before Dec 2005 with those who did not; the aim was to analyze demographic data (gender, age, family structure, education), criminal records (number of offense, type of offense) and clinical conditions (age of illness onset, number of hospitalization, co-morbidity with substance abuse/personality disorder, intellectual functioning ). The study found that factors such as no prior hospitalization before offense, antisocial personality, age between 10-19 and 60-69 of the assessed and first offense and numbers of previous offenses over four were predictors of a higher risk of recidivism. But specific types of offenses such as homicide, assault, arson and interference with social order had less risk of recidivism. The study suggests greater emphasis on specific correctional measures or psychiatric treatment should be targeted on the schizophrenic patients who have a higher risk of recidivism.

資料來源:http://handle.ncl.edu.tw/11296/ndltd/86218564242147188589