Stress, Schizophrenia, and Violence: A Machine Learning Approach
Abstract
This study employs machine learning algorithms to examine the causes for engaging in violent offending in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Data were collected from 370 inpatients at the Centre for Inpatient Forensic Therapy, Zurich University Hospital of Psychiatry, Switzerland. Based on findings of the general strain theory and using logistic regression and machine learning algorithms, it was analyzed whether accumulation and type of stressors in the inpatients' history influenced the severity of an offense. A higher number of stressors led to more violent offenses, and five types of stressors were identified as being highly influential regarding violent offenses. Our findings suggest that an accumulation of stressful experiences in the course of life and certain types of stressors might be particularly important in the development of violent offending in individuals suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders. A better understanding of risk factors that lead to violent offenses should be helpful for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for patients at risk and could thus potentially reduce the prevalence of violent offenses.
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Nursing professionals face extraordinary stressors in the medical environment, including long work hours, emotional suffering, and complex patient care.
“Nursing professionals face extraordinary stressors in the medical environment, including long work hours, emotional suffering, and complex patient care.”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [100]
A stressful work environment can lead to lateral violence, including behaviors such as verbal affronts, scapegoating, sabotage, and backstabbing.
“Additionally, a stressful work environment can lead to lateral violence, including behaviors such as verbal affronts, scapegoating, sabotage, and backstabbing.”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [100]
A study involving 370 inpatients at the Center for Inpatient Forensic Therapy in Zurich found that a higher number of stressors correlated with more violent offenses.
“A study involving 370 inpatients at the Center for Inpatient Forensic Therapy in Zurich found that a higher number of stressors correlated with more violent offenses [100,101].”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [100]
Stress among nursing professionals has been linked to high incidences of depression and chronic disease among nurses.
“This stress has been linked to high incidences of depression and chronic disease among nurses.”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [100]
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- Authors
- Kirchebner, J., Sonnweber, M., Nater, U. M., Günther, M., & Lau, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Zurich (CH)
- University of Vienna (AT)
- Corresponding author
- Sonnweber, Martina
- Venue
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2020-04-20
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 602-622
- ISSN
- 0886-2605 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6518
- OpenAlex
- W3017208276
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 76
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 2.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Keywords
- schizophrenia spectrum disorders, violent offending, stress, general strain theory, stressors, crime severity, forensic psychiatric inpatients, risk factors, violence prevention
- MeSH terms
- Machine Learning, Aggression, Humans, Risk Factors, Schizophrenia, Violence
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