Violence in first-episode psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Schizophrenia research 2011-02, Vol.125 (2), p.209-220
• Main Authors: Large, Matthew M, Nielssen, Olav
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Aggression; Biological and medical sciences; Cohort Studies; Commitment of Mentally Ill - legislation & jurisprudence; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; First-episode psychosis; First-episode schizophrenia; Homicide - psychology; Homicide - statistics & numerical data; Hostility; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Risk assessment; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - epidemiology; Schizophrenic Psychology; Violence; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0920-9964; 1573-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.11.026

Abstract Background Violence towards others is a recognised complication of first-episode psychosis. Aims To estimate the rate of violence and the associations with violence in first-episode psychosis. Method A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies. Results Pooled estimates of the proportion of patients with first-episode psychosis committing any violence, serious violence and severe violence were 34.5%, 16.6% and 0.6%, respectively. Violence of any severity was associated with involuntary treatment (OR = 3.84), a forensic history (OR = 3.28), hostile affect (OR = 3.52), symptoms of mania (OR = 2.86), illicit substance use (OR = 2.33), lower levels of education (OR = 1.99), younger age (OR = 1.85), male sex (OR = 1.61) and the duration of untreated psychosis (OR = 1.56). Serious violence was associated with a forensic history (OR = 4.42), the duration of untreated psychosis (OR = 2.76) and total symptom scores (OR = 2.05). Violence in the period after initiation of treatment for first-episode psychosis was associated with involuntary treatment (OR = 5.71). Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients in first-episode psychosis commit an act of violence before presenting for treatment, including a number who commit an act of more serious violence causing injury to another person. However, severe violence resulting in serious or permanent injury to the victim is uncommon in this population.