Allan A, Roberts M C, Allan M M, Pienaar W P, Stein D J
Forensic Psychology Programme, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
S Afr Med J. 2001 Feb;91(2):145-50.
Incidence rates of crime and alcohol abuse in South Africa are unacceptably high. Research suggests a relationship between alcohol and both crime and suicide. This study aims to add to the information base on this topic in South Africa.
This is a cross-sectional record study of criminal offences and suicide attempts in 269 admissions to an alcohol rehabilitation unit in the Western Cape. Types of criminal offences and suicide attempts are described. Relationships are sought between crime, violent crime and suicide attempts on the one hand, and demographic and alcohol-related variables on the other.
One hundred and four subjects (39%) had criminal convictions, the majority of which were committed while the subjects were intoxicated. The commonest alcohol-related crimes were driving-related (17% of subjects) and crimes of violence (15%). Male gender, younger age at initiation of drinking, and earlier onset of problem drinking were significantly associated with criminal behaviour. Violent crime was associated with earlier onset of initial, regular and problem drinking, and maternal alcohol abuse. Suicide attempts (24% of subjects) were associated with female gender, white racial group, not being in a marital relationship, younger current age and early age of problem drinking.
There was an association between intoxication and both violent crime and suicide attempts. The importance of population studies and the need for intervention programmes aimed at teenagers who are drinking, are emphasised.
南非的犯罪率和酒精滥用率高得令人无法接受。研究表明酒精与犯罪和自杀之间存在关联。本研究旨在增加南非关于这一主题的信息库。
这是一项对西开普一家酒精康复机构269名入院患者的刑事犯罪和自杀未遂情况的横断面记录研究。描述了刑事犯罪和自杀未遂的类型。一方面探寻犯罪、暴力犯罪和自杀未遂与人口统计学及酒精相关变量之间的关系。
104名受试者（39%）有刑事定罪记录，其中大多数犯罪是在受试者醉酒时实施的。最常见的与酒精相关的犯罪是与驾驶有关的犯罪（占受试者的17%）和暴力犯罪（15%）。男性、饮酒起始年龄较小以及问题饮酒出现较早与犯罪行为显著相关。暴力犯罪与初始饮酒、规律饮酒和问题饮酒的较早起始以及母亲的酒精滥用有关。自杀未遂（占受试者的24%）与女性、白种人、未婚、当前年龄较小以及问题饮酒的较早年龄有关。
醉酒与暴力犯罪和自杀未遂之间存在关联。强调了人群研究的重要性以及针对饮酒青少年的干预项目的必要性。
