EPA-0170 – Sociocultural Characteristics of Individuals with Schizophrenia who Have Committed Serious Assaultive Acts in Uzbekistan

Abstract

Introduction:

Considering that the indigenous ethnic groups of Central Asia have similar sociocultural characteristics, these factors may be reflected in individuals with schizophrenia who have committed serious assaultive acts in Uzbekistan.

Objectives:

Identify the sociocultural characteristics of schizophrenic representatives of indigenous ethnic groups of Central Asia who have committed violent crimes in Uzbekistan and have been found insane in regard to their offence, and to compare their sociocultural characteristics to those of the representatives of other ethnic groups.

Methods:

The data were collected in 2010–2013 in the Tashkent High Security Psychiatric Hospital via face-to-face interviews and from forensic psychiatric examination statements.

Results:

The sample consisted of 201 individuals: 86.6%— indigenous ethnic groups of Central Asia, 13.4% — others; mean age = 36.7 years (SD = 9.91); 85.1% — male. The results of the study show greater representation of male individuals with low educational level, born in the countryside in the group of indigenous ethnic groups of Central Asia; the individuals were rarely referred to psychiatric care because of the popularity of alternative medicine and the stigma attached to mental illness. A positive correlation between violence and various psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorder, has also been demonstrated in this group.

Conclusions:

Sociocultural characteristics, such as delayed referrals for psychiatric care because of the popularity of alternative medicine and the stigma attached to mental illness among the indigenous ethnic groups of Central Asia, frequently factor into committing serious acts of assault because of developing psychotic symptoms.