Abnormal Psych Research Paper
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The Relationship between Mental Illness and Violence and Criminal Behavior
Your Name
Pikes Peak Community College
The Relationship between Mental Illness and Violence and Criminal Behavior The relationship between mental illness and violence is something of a fascination. The fascination grows even stronger when an individual committing violent behavior also has a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. If the violent behavior is criminal—well, the public will happily lap up stories of individuals with Schizophrenia assaulting ordinary people or resisting arrest. In the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011), the public perception of mental illness and violence is clearly illustrated: Public opinion surveys suggest that many people think mental illness and violence go hand in hand. A 2006 national survey found, for example, that 60% of Americans thought that people with Schizophrenia were likely to act violently toward someone else, while 32% thought that people with major depression were likely to do so. (p. 1) Clearly, according to the 2006 national survey, there is a link between mental illness and violence. The link is even stronger if the individual with the mental illness has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. As the national survey in the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011) notes over half of the American population believes that individuals with Schizophrenia are violent. Furthermore, less than half of the American population believes that people with major depression are likely to commit violence (Harvard, 2011). Individuals with Schizophrenia are dangerous according to the American people. Public opinion, though, is not always correct. The public opinion of mental illness and violence is compared to actual research in the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011): In fact, research suggests that this public perception does not reflect reality. Most individuals with psychiatric disorders
The Relationship between Mental Illness and Violence and Criminal Behavior
Your Name
Pikes Peak Community College
The Relationship between Mental Illness and Violence and Criminal Behavior The relationship between mental illness and violence is something of a fascination. The fascination grows even stronger when an individual committing violent behavior also has a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. If the violent behavior is criminal—well, the public will happily lap up stories of individuals with Schizophrenia assaulting ordinary people or resisting arrest. In the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011), the public perception of mental illness and violence is clearly illustrated: Public opinion surveys suggest that many people think mental illness and violence go hand in hand. A 2006 national survey found, for example, that 60% of Americans thought that people with Schizophrenia were likely to act violently toward someone else, while 32% thought that people with major depression were likely to do so. (p. 1) Clearly, according to the 2006 national survey, there is a link between mental illness and violence. The link is even stronger if the individual with the mental illness has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. As the national survey in the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011) notes over half of the American population believes that individuals with Schizophrenia are violent. Furthermore, less than half of the American population believes that people with major depression are likely to commit violence (Harvard, 2011). Individuals with Schizophrenia are dangerous according to the American people. Public opinion, though, is not always correct. The public opinion of mental illness and violence is compared to actual research in the Harvard Mental Health Letter (2011): In fact, research suggests that this public perception does not reflect reality. Most individuals with psychiatric disorders
References: Bobes, J., Fillat, O. O., & Arango, C. C. (2009). Violence among schizophrenia out-patients complaint with medication: Prevalence and associated factors. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 119(3), 218-225. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01302.x Comer, R. J. (2011).Fundamentals of abnormal psychology. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Fazel, S., Gulati, G., Linsell, L., Geddes, J. R., & Grann, M. (2009). Schizophrenia and violence: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 6(8), 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000120 Mental illness and violence: Multiple interacting factors contribute to violent behavior. (2011). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 27(7), 1-3. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Rice, E. I. (2009). Schizophrenia, violence, and case management: Being supportive and overwhelmed. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 32(4), 313-315. doi: 10.2975/32.4.2009.313.315 Siegel, L. J. (2009a). Criminology. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Siegel, L. J. (2009b). Essentials of Criminal Justice. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.