[The effect of the sociodemographic and the socioeconomic factors on criminal behavior of male patients with a bipolar I disorder].

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on the criminal behavior of male patients with bipolar type I disorder.

METHODS

A total of 48 male patients diagnosed with type I bipolar disorder according to DSM IV criteria and a criminal history in a forensic psychiatry facility and 53 male patients with the same diagnosis but without a criminal history who were treated at the Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery were included in the study group. Socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics were compared between the two patient groups.

RESULTS

The average duration of formal education in the forensic group (7.42 ± 3.74 years) was less than in the control group (9.74 ± 3.96 years) (p<0.05). The proportion of divorced and the widowed patients was greater among the forensic group (70%) relative to the control group (49%), (p<0.05). The proportion of people without professional training (50% vs. 22.6%) and the unemployment rate (75% vs. 45.3%) were greater among the forensic group relative to the control group (p<0.001). Fewer patients in the control group were enrolled in social insurance compared to the control group (54.2% vs. 5.7%), (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated a relationship between lower migration rate and lack of social insurance with criminal behavior among patients in the forensic group.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate the relationship between sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors and criminal behavior in male patients with a bipolar I disorder. To protect both the patient and the society, these factors are of importance and they should be taken into account by both juridical and psychiatric institutions.