Difference between forensic patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in Italy and other European countries: Results of the EU-VIORMED project.
Italy
forensic mental health services
mental disorders
schizophrenia spectrum disorders
violence
Journal
Criminal behaviour and mental health : CBMH
ISSN: 1471-2857
Titre abrégé: Crim Behav Ment Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9309668
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Aug 2023
Aug 2023
Historique:
received:
31
08
2022
accepted:
22
06
2023
medline:
2
8
2023
pubmed:
19
7
2023
entrez:
19
7
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
There has been a substantial change in the law on the provision of secure health services for offender-patients in Italy, a country currently with the lowest general psychiatry bed availability per head of the population in Europe, raising questions about possible differences in offender-patient admissions between European countries. In this multicentre case-control study, our aim was to compare the socio-demographic, clinical and criminological characteristics of a sample of Italian forensic in-patients with schizophrenia or similar psychosis with patients in a similar diagnostic range in specialist in-patient services elsewhere in Europe. Secure hospital unit in-patients with psychosis were recruited across five European countries (Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland and England). Consenting patients were interviewed by researchers and assessed using a multidimensional standardised process. Within country similarities between Austria, Germany, Poland and England were confirmed. Overall, 39 Italian participants had had fewer years of education than the 182 patients in the other countries and were less likely to have ever had skilled or professional employment. The Italian patients had been older at first contact with any mental health services than the other Europeans. Diagnosed comorbidity rates were similar, but the Italian group reported higher levels of disability. Although the other European forensic patients were more likely to be undergoing treatment at the time of their index offence, they were also more likely to have been poorly compliant with treatment. The rate of suicide-related behaviours was significantly lower among the Italian patients than among the others. Notwithstanding similar diagnoses, important differences emerged between patients in Italian forensic mental health resident services and those in four other European countries, some possibly reflecting less access to earlier relevant services in Italy. Others, including lower disability ratings among the Italian patients and a lower rate of suicide-related behaviours, may indicate that the Italian reforms carry benefits. This is worthy of further evaluation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
There has been a substantial change in the law on the provision of secure health services for offender-patients in Italy, a country currently with the lowest general psychiatry bed availability per head of the population in Europe, raising questions about possible differences in offender-patient admissions between European countries.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
In this multicentre case-control study, our aim was to compare the socio-demographic, clinical and criminological characteristics of a sample of Italian forensic in-patients with schizophrenia or similar psychosis with patients in a similar diagnostic range in specialist in-patient services elsewhere in Europe.
METHODS
METHODS
Secure hospital unit in-patients with psychosis were recruited across five European countries (Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland and England). Consenting patients were interviewed by researchers and assessed using a multidimensional standardised process. Within country similarities between Austria, Germany, Poland and England were confirmed.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Overall, 39 Italian participants had had fewer years of education than the 182 patients in the other countries and were less likely to have ever had skilled or professional employment. The Italian patients had been older at first contact with any mental health services than the other Europeans. Diagnosed comorbidity rates were similar, but the Italian group reported higher levels of disability. Although the other European forensic patients were more likely to be undergoing treatment at the time of their index offence, they were also more likely to have been poorly compliant with treatment. The rate of suicide-related behaviours was significantly lower among the Italian patients than among the others.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Notwithstanding similar diagnoses, important differences emerged between patients in Italian forensic mental health resident services and those in four other European countries, some possibly reflecting less access to earlier relevant services in Italy. Others, including lower disability ratings among the Italian patients and a lower rate of suicide-related behaviours, may indicate that the Italian reforms carry benefits. This is worthy of further evaluation.
Types de publication
Multicenter Study
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
243-260Subventions
Organisme : European Commission
ID : PP-2-3-2016
Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Authors. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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