Mental disorders in abnormal offenders in Papua New Guinea.

Journal: Medicine and law

Volume: 16

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 1997

Affiliated Institutions:  Mental Health Services, Boroko, Papua New Guinea.

Abstract summary 

The case notes of all 64 referred abnormal offenders (mental patients with criminal records) sent to a psychiatric hospital between January 1971 to May 1996 were examined. It was found that severe mental disorder like schizophrenia (27 out of 64) was the most common cause of violent crimes such as homicide. Epilepsy 10.9 (n = 7) was another important neuropsychiatric condition related to violence. Alcohol and cannabis abuse were an associated factor in 21 (32.8%) referred cases. Culture bound syndromes like "Amok Syndrome" and "Spirit Possession Syndrome" were also found as a cause of violent behavior.

Authors & Co-authors:  Pal S S

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  1
Identifiers
Doi : 
SSN : 0723-1393
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Guinea
Publication Country
United States