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Violence and Mental Illness in a Peasant Society: Characteristics of Violent Behaviours and ‘Folk’ use of Restraints

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Joseph Westermeyer  and
Jerome Kroll
Joseph Westermeyer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Jerome Kroll
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
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Summary

Thirty-five people labelled as baa (crazy or insane) were studied in Laos—a country without psychiatrists or psychiatric institutions. Informant information was obtained for violence prior to becoming baa, violence during the course of their baa condition, and violence during the seven days prior to interview. Observation for violence was made for a one day period at the time of the interview. Use of restraints was also assessed.

Subjects were significantly more apt to have assaulted others, posed a risk to themselves, and been restrained (although not incarcerated) during their baa condition as compared to their previous state. Those in early stages of their condition (two years or less) manifested more violence than those later in their condition. ‘Folk’ use of restraints was applied only after dangerous or violent behaviour had occurred. Restraints were released as soon as practicable, but there was an ‘ascending’ use of certain restraint measures if violence persisted.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 133 , Issue 6 , December 1978 , pp. 529 - 541
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1978 

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