Katharina Nymo Engelstad1, Anja Vaskinn2, Anne-Kari Torgalsbøen3, Christine Mohn4, Bjørn Lau5, Bjørn Rishovd Rund6. 1. Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, P. O. Box 800, 3004 Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: k.n.engelstad@psykologi.uio.no. 2. NORMENT K. G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, P. O. Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 1039, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: anja.vaskinn@medisin.uio.no. 3. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: a.k.torgalsboen@psykologi.uio.no. 4. Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, P. O. Box 800, 3004 Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: h.c.mohn@psykologi.uio.no. 5. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway; Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, P. O. Box 4970, Nydalen, 0440 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: bjorn.lau@psykologi.uio.no. 6. Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, P. O. Box 800, 3004 Drammen, Norway; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, P. O. Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: b.r.rund@psykologi.uio.no.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our ability to predict and prevent homicides committed by individuals with schizophrenia is limited. Cognitive impairments are associated with poorer functional outcome in schizophrenia, possibly also homicide. The aim of the current study was to investigate global and specific cognition among homicide offenders with schizophrenia (HOS). METHODS: Twenty-six HOS were compared to 28 individuals with schizophrenia and no history of violence (non-HOS), and a group of healthy controls (HC, n = 151). HOS and non-HOS participants were recruited from in- and outpatient units across Norway. An extensive neuropsychological test battery was administered. RESULTS: HOS participants performed significantly weaker than HC in all cognitive domains. Further, statistically significant differences between HOS and non-HOS participants were found for IQ (d = 0.52) and verbal learning (d = 0.82), with larger impairments in the HOS compared to the non-HOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that HOS participants show clinically significant impairments in global and specific cognition.
BACKGROUND: Our ability to predict and prevent homicides committed by individuals with schizophrenia is limited. Cognitive impairments are associated with poorer functional outcome in schizophrenia, possibly also homicide. The aim of the current study was to investigate global and specific cognition among homicide offenders with schizophrenia (HOS). METHODS: Twenty-six HOS were compared to 28 individuals with schizophrenia and no history of violence (non-HOS), and a group of healthy controls (HC, n = 151). HOS and non-HOS participants were recruited from in- and outpatient units across Norway. An extensive neuropsychological test battery was administered. RESULTS: HOS participants performed significantly weaker than HC in all cognitive domains. Further, statistically significant differences between HOS and non-HOS participants were found for IQ (d = 0.52) and verbal learning (d = 0.82), with larger impairments in the HOS compared to the non-HOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that HOS participants show clinically significant impairments in global and specific cognition.
Authors: Chiara Buizza; Cosmo Strozza; Giulio Sbravati; Giovanni de Girolamo; Clarissa Ferrari; Laura Iozzino; Ambra Macis; Harry G Kennedy; Valentina Candini Journal: Ann Gen Psychiatry Date: 2022-09-10 Impact factor: 3.301