ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Predicting Aggressive and Socially Disruptive Behavior in a Maximum Security Forensic Psychiatric Hospital
Hill, CD
University of North Texas, TX

Bickford, ME
Vernon State Hospital, TX

Rogers, R
University of North Texas, TX

(Received 1 May 1995; accepted 5 June 1995)

Abstract

The predictive utility of Hare, Hart, and Cox's Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version (PCL:SV) was assessed utilizing a sample of forensic psychiatric patients from Vernon State Hospital in Vernon, Texas. A sample of 55 patients were interviewed and rated on the PCL:SV. During a six month follow up, occurrences of self-harm (suicide attempts and self mutilation), aggression (verbal abuse and threats, irritability, belligerence, and fighting) escape potential (threats and attempts), and treatment refusal (medication, tests, and physician's appointments) were rated. Separate stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed utilizing patient's age, type of charges, documented history of alcohol/drug abuse and the PCL:SV as predictor variables. Results indicate that the PCL:SV is predictive of aggression and treatment noncompliance.

Keywords:
forensic science, psychiatry, psychology, forensic psychiatry, forensic psychology, aggression, dangerousness, psychopathy, treatment refusal, forensic evaluations

Paper ID: JFS13897J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13897J
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