1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur (Assam)
2Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur (Assam)
3Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur (Assam)
Mentally ill patients with history of homicidal act or attempt are often encountered in psychiatric practice. Multiple factors interact in shaping such behaviour. In this study we attempted to find out the various socio – demographic characteristics and personality profile of mentally ill persons with history of homicidal behaviour. The sample (N = 30) was selected from inpatient ward of LGBRIMH – Tezpur (Assam), using random sampling technique. After collecting relevant history and socio – demographic data, personality profile was assessed using MCMI – III and impulsivity was assessed using BIS – 11 scales. BPRS (18 item) score of 41 was taken as a cut – off prior to evaluations, above which personality assessments were not carried out. Majority of the subjects were male (93.3%), mean age was 35.13 yrs. In majority of cases, the victim was a family member (70%). 80% of the subjects had a primary clinical diagnosis of psychosis. MCMI – III results showed that 70% of the subjects had at least one personality disorder. DSM – IV cluster – A personality disorders (43.3%) were the most prevalent. Scores on BIS – 11 revealed that 53.3% have pathological levels of impulsivity, especially in the domain of non – planning impulsivity (93.3%). The study also found significant negative correlation between age and impulsivity. Impulsivity was higher among cluster – B and lower among cluster – C personalities. Cluster – B disorders were more among younger age group.
