Relationship between specific psychiatric disorders and type of crimes committed in a forensic psychiatry population

Abstract

Introduction: The association between criminality and psychiatric disorders has been extensively studied. The most recent studies show that this appears to exist only in acute stages of the disorder. Adverse childhood events are also a risk factor in violent and antisocial behaviors. Methods/Objectives: A retrospective exploratory study was designed, including 91 men and 19 women admitted in the Forensic Ward of Coimbra Hospital and University Center between January 2018 and august 2021 to evaluate the association between psychiatric diagnosis and crime committed. Gender differences and adverse childhood events were also evaluated. Results: Although psychotic disorders were the most common in both groups, mood disorders were significantly more common in women. 39 patients had comorbidity with substance abuse which was associated with a greater prevalence of criminal history and childhood adverse events, but also with a lesser prevalence of violent crimes and homicide. The victims of the crimes committed were mainly from the patient’s nuclear family, with a low prevalence of crimes committed against strangers. The sample patients also reported more adverse childhood events than the general population. Discussion: There were no significant differences in the type of crime considering the psychiatric diagnosis, but comorbidity with substance abuse was associated with greater criminality, but with less violent crimes. There was a greater prevalence of crimes committed against the nuclear family, and particularly against offspring in women.