A systematic review of the association between attributional bias/interpersonal style, and violence in schizophrenia/psychosis

TY - JOUR

T1 - A systematic review of the association between attributional bias/interpersonal style, and violence in schizophrenia/psychosis

AU - Harris, Stephanie T.

AU - Oakley, Clare

AU - Picchioni, Marco M.

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - Despite the widely recognized link between schizophrenia and violence, the illness-specific factors underlying that association remain unclear. A body of work has implicated deficits in social cognition, consistently seen in schizophrenia, that may mediate the risk of violence. Two specific areas of interest are attributional bias and interpersonal style. We conducted a systematic literature search using EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO and Science Direct databases with search terms relating to attributional bias, interpersonal style and violence/aggression in schizophrenia. Eleven studies were identified, six related specifically to attributional bias and five to interpersonal style. Results suggest an association between hostile and externalizing attribution biases, and violence in schizophrenia. Furthermore, hostile, dominant, and coercive interpersonal styles are also frequently associated with violence in schizophrenia. An interaction between cognitive impairments and underlying personality traits, as well as other co-morbid or illness factors, is proposed to likely underpin associations with violence in schizophrenia. Conclusions are limited by methodological constraints. The field would benefit from consistent definitions of violence, and a more systematic approach to cognitive assessment. Furthermore, studies with more homogeneous samples; and longitudinal designs are warranted in order to gain a better understanding of causation with regard to illness factors specific to schizophrenia.

AB - Despite the widely recognized link between schizophrenia and violence, the illness-specific factors underlying that association remain unclear. A body of work has implicated deficits in social cognition, consistently seen in schizophrenia, that may mediate the risk of violence. Two specific areas of interest are attributional bias and interpersonal style. We conducted a systematic literature search using EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO and Science Direct databases with search terms relating to attributional bias, interpersonal style and violence/aggression in schizophrenia. Eleven studies were identified, six related specifically to attributional bias and five to interpersonal style. Results suggest an association between hostile and externalizing attribution biases, and violence in schizophrenia. Furthermore, hostile, dominant, and coercive interpersonal styles are also frequently associated with violence in schizophrenia. An interaction between cognitive impairments and underlying personality traits, as well as other co-morbid or illness factors, is proposed to likely underpin associations with violence in schizophrenia. Conclusions are limited by methodological constraints. The field would benefit from consistent definitions of violence, and a more systematic approach to cognitive assessment. Furthermore, studies with more homogeneous samples; and longitudinal designs are warranted in order to gain a better understanding of causation with regard to illness factors specific to schizophrenia.

KW - Attribution bias

KW - Interpersonal style

KW - Social cognition

KW - Schizophrenia

KW - Violence

KW - Aggression

KW - SOCIAL COGNITION

KW - INTERPERSONAL STYLE

KW - SELF-ESTEEM

KW - PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITALIZATION

KW - SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER

KW - PERSECUTORY DELUSIONS

KW - PERSONALITY-DISORDER

KW - INPATIENT VIOLENCE

KW - MENTAL-DISORDERS

KW - AGGRESSION

U2 - 10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.009

DO - 10.1016/j.avb.2014.04.009

M3 - Literature review

SN - 1359-1789

VL - 19

SP - 235

EP - 241

JO - AGGRESSION AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

JF - AGGRESSION AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

IS - 3

ER -