Prevalence of Aggression and its correlation to psychopathology of first episode of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: Study of 100 cases

Background: Persons with mental illness especially psychosis are considered aggressive. Objective: Present study aims to explore the prevalence of aggression and its correlation with the psychopathology in patients with first episode of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Material & Method: Sample consist 100 patients in first episode with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders according to DSM-IV TR. Case Record Form, Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), Modified Overt Aggression Scale(MOAS), Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAS) were administered. Result: 68% of male and 51% of female patients showed some type of aggression. Aggression positively correlated with positive symptoms and general psychopathology scale of PANSS. Aggression correlated with psychopathology more than aggressive personality traits. Conclusion: In present study, aggression was prevalent in schizophrenia and its spectrum disorders. It directly has a positive correlation with positive symptoms scale of PANSS.. However, larger community based studies are needed to replicate our findings