Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Thesis
The role of diagnosis as a risk factor for minor aggression in those with mental disorder
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3910
Abstract
Previous research has shown that relatively few people with mental disorder commit violent acts. However, those with mental disorder do have a slightly higher propensity for violent behavior. Most of the research in this area has focused on the relationship between mental disorder and serious violence. Few studies have considered the relationship between less serious aggression and mental disorder, however. In addition, the relationship between mental disorder and minor aggression may be more complex when substance abuse, a powerful risk factor for aggression, is considered. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of diagnosis as a risk factor for minor aggression among former psychiatric patients living in the community using the data from the MacArthur Risk Assessment Study (Monahan et al., 2001). Furthermore, the relationship between substance abuse, a powerful violence risk factor, and minor aggression was considered. Results indicated that an affective diagnosis was associated with a significantly greater likelihood for the presence aggression, but did not significantly affect the overall number of aggressive acts when compared to other diagnoses. Although the effect size was small, this may have implications on treatment compliance and symptom management as means of mitigating potential aggressive behavior. Further results raise questions regarding how substance use relates differently to psychiatric diagnoses when considering the distinct outcomes of violence and aggression. The implications of this study in terms of psychological research and clinical practice are discussed.
Metrics
30 File views/ downloads
12 Record Views
Details
- Title
- The role of diagnosis as a risk factor for minor aggression in those with mental disorder
- Creators
- Lauren M. Rosenberger - DU
- Contributors
- Kirk Heilbrun (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3910; 991014632069304721