NCJ Number
17499
Journal
Comprehensive Psychiatry Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1973) Pages: 311-317
Date Published
1973
Length
7 pages
Annotation
IN THIS STUDY, 27 MALE CONVICTS EXHIBITING RECURRENT VIOLENT BEHAVIOR WERE GIVEN LITHIUM CARBONATE FOR THREE TO EIGHTEEN MONTHS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSESS THE LONG-TERM EFFECT OF LITHIUM ON AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION INCLUDED INABILITY TO DELAY EXPRESSION OF AGGRESSIVE FEELINGS, STRONG SUGGESTION OF BRAIN DAMAGE AND A LONG HISTORY OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR BOTH IN AND OUT OF PRISON. ASSESSMENTS OF CHANGE WERE COMPOSED OF INCIDENCE AND TYPE OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF SECURITY CHANGES FOR IDENTICAL TIME PERIODS BEFORE AND DURING LITHIUM PLUS SUBJECTIVE REPORTS BY STAFF AND SUBJECTS. AS A GROUP, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEREAS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR NON-VIOLENT BEHAVIOR DID NOT DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY. INDIVIDUALLY CONSIDERED, SUBJECTS RECEIVED FEWER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS FOR VIOLENCE. SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONS IMPROVED. SUBJECTIVE REPORTS INCLUDED: 1) AN INCREASED CAPACITY TO REFLECT ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS; 2) INCREASED CAPACITY TO CONTROL ANGRY FEELINGS WHEN PROVOKED; 3) DIMINISHED INTENSITY OF ANGRY AFFECT; AND 4) GENERALLY A MORE REFLECTIVE MOOD. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT THE RESULTS STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT LITHIUM MAY BE EFFECTIVE IN LONG-TERM REDUCTION OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)