Relationship of aggressive behavior and depressive symptoms in paranoid schizophrenia patients.

Abstract

Background and aims.– The problem of depression among patients with schizophrenia is actual question in the context of re- adaptation in social community and improving of the quality of life. Stigma, isolation and lack of social support reinforces the statement of that schizophrenia patients are aggressive. Not suffi- ciently investigated the interdependence of depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior in these patients. Investigate relationship of depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior among paranoid schizophrenia patients. Methods.– We examined 81 paranoid schizophrenia patients: 44 – with depressive symptoms and 37 – without it. Our investiga- tion is based on a complex examination included: PANSS scale, The Calgary depression scale, RFL scale, Buss-Durkey Inventory and Boyko’s Definition of integral forms of communicative aggression inventory. Results.– Patients of both groups showed no differences in demon- stration of oral or physical aggression. Also, inability to switch aggression on to inanimate objects was high in both groups. Differences were identified in self-aggressive subscale and were statistically significantly higher in group of patients with depres- sive symptoms. In this group also identified higher level of spontaneity of aggression and disability to stall it. These patients showed statistically significantly lower score of RFL scale with prevalence subscales: responsibility to family, child-related con- cerns, moral objections. Conclusions.– Results showed that depressive symptoms facili- tate increasing of the level of self-aggression among paranoid schizophrenia patients. Psychotherapeutic correction should be based on existing family values and aimed at strengthening of moral principles and belief in life. This direction requires further research and development of the effective methods of medical and psychotherapeutic correction.