Schizophrenia bulletin
-
Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1999
Effects of the label "schizophrenia" on causal attributions of violence.
We investigated the relation between the label of "schizophrenia" and causal attributions of violence. Undergraduates read 1 of 10 scenarios in which two variables were manipulated: a psychiatric label and environmental stress. The scenario described an employee who acted violently toward his boss. ⋯ With increasing environmental stress, subjects did make significantly fewer personality attributions. A follow-up study using practicing clinicians as subjects yielded similar findings. The results of these studies are discussed in light of perceived stereotypes of persons with schizophrenia and conceptual issues in attribution research.
-
Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1999
Review Comparative StudyThe effects of clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine on cognitive function in schizophrenia.
Cognitive function is markedly impaired in most patients with schizophrenia. Antecedents of this impairment are evident in childhood. The cognitive disability is nearly fully developed at the first episode of psychosis in most patients. ⋯ These differences may be valuable adjunctive guides for their use in clinical practice if cognitive improvements reach clinical significance. The effects of the atypical antipsychotic drugs on cholinergic and 5-HT2a-mediated neurotransmission as the possible basis for their ability to improve cognition are discussed. It is suggested that the development of drugs for schizophrenia should focus on improving the key cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: executive function, verbal fluency, working memory, verbal and visual learning and memory, and attention.
-
Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1999
Dispelling the stigma of schizophrenia: II. The impact of information on dangerousness.
This study addressed a relatively neglected topic in schizophrenia: identifying methods to reduce stigma directed toward individuals with this disorder. The study investigated whether presentation of information describing the association between violent behavior and schizophrenia could affect subjects' impressions of the dangerousness of both a target person with schizophrenia and individuals with mental illness in general. Subjects with and without previous contact with individuals with a mental illness were administered one of four "information sheets" with varying information about schizophrenia and its association with violent behavior. ⋯ Results showed that subjects who reported previous contact with individuals with a mental illness rated the male target individual and individuals with mental illness in general as less dangerous than did subjects without previous contact. Subjects who received information summarizing the prevalence rates of violent behavior among individuals with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders (e.g., substance abuse) rated individuals with a mental illness as less dangerous than did subjects who did not receive this information. Implications of the findings for public education are discussed.