Relationship of Mental Disorder to Violent Behavior in the United States, 1983-1984 (ICPSR 9973)

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Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection

Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes

Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose

The Research Triangle Institute conducted this study to investigate the relationship between mental disorder and the propensity to engage in violent behavior. This work continues a stream of research on mental disorder and violence. However, in contrast to previous research, the authors gathered data on specific mental disorders. Interviews were conducted with male felons recently admitted to the North Carolina prison system. A major focus of the interviews was a detailed psychological assessment of each respondent. This was accomplished by use of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III, and specialized computer software. Attention was given to conditions such as schizophrenia, mood disorders (depression and dysthymia), traumatic stress syndrome, and alcohol disorders. The authors investigated the relationship between these disorders and violent behavior occurring before an inmate's current incarceration. In addition, the authors gathered data to explore the relationship between mental disorder and an inmate's behavior while incarcerated. The dataset is comprised of both self-report data and criminal records.

Study Design View help for Study Design

Interviews were conducted at the five reception centers that process all male felons entering the North Carolina prison system. Interviews were conducted within a few days of the inmates' arrival by 14 professional survey interviewers and lasted approximately 90 minutes each. In order to make a psychological assessment of each respondent, the National Institute of Mental Health's Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III (DIS-III) was used in the interviews. The DIS-III was designed to be used by nonclinical personnel to aid in making psychiatric diagnoses. Official records were obtained detailing each respondent's arrest history prior to the current incarceration and rule violations while in prison subsequent to the current incarceration.

Sample View help for Sample

Male prisoners entering North Carolina prisons between March and June 1983.

Universe View help for Universe

Male criminal offenders in the United States.

Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation

Data Source View help for Data Source

Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)

Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables

A major portion of the interviews was devoted to gathering data for a psychological assessment of each respondent. Psychological conditions of interest were schizophrenia, mood disorders, traumatic stress syndrome, and alcohol disorders. Additional topics covered in the interviews included general health status, criminal history, drug and alcohol use, and demographic information. Arrest records provided information on the nature and timing of previous police contacts.

Response Rates View help for Response Rates

A total of 1,327 inmates were eligible to be interviewed. Interviews were completed with 1,149 inmates (86.6 percent). Those not interviewed include 10.2 percent who refused to participate, 2.6 percent who were transferred before interviews could be conducted, and 0.6 percent who could not be interviewed because of physical, mental, or language limitations. Inmates who were not interviewed tended to be older and to have more serious criminal histories than those who were interviewed.

Presence of Common Scales View help for Presence of Common Scales

None.

Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date

1993-10-02

Version History View help for Version History