Schizophrenia and violence: from correlations to preventive strategies†

My aim in this article is to move the debate about schizophrenia and violence forward to consider the evidence on what mediates that association and, more importantly, what could be done to reduce the violence. I will begin by presenting evidence in support of a substantial and clinically relevant association. Next, I will review the research on factors that mediate between having a schizophrenic syndrome and behaving in an antisocial manner. Finally, I will suggest ways in which current clinical practice could be modified, and augmented, to break the links between having schizophrenia and behaving violently.