A Study of the Clinical characteristics and Psychopathology of Kleptomania offenders.
- Author:
JaeHyun AHN
1
;
MyungHo LIM
;
GyungSook LEE
;
Ki Chung PAIK
;
Sung Kon HONG
;
Sang Sub CHOI
;
Hyun Woo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Justice.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Kleptomania;
offenders
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Criminals*;
Delusions;
Female;
Hospitals, Psychiatric;
Humans;
Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders*;
Prognosis;
Psychopathology*;
Sex Offenses;
Theft
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2001;25(2):12-19
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECT: This study was devised to examine the demographic characteristics, psychopathology and associated psychiatric disorder of the Kleptomania offenders. METHODS: Kleptomania offenders who was referred to the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital was concerned. RESULTS: Most of the Kleptomania offenders were women(92.6%, N=25) and lived alone(71.4%, N=20). In their first stealing, 25(92.6%) reported stressful situation just before stealing behavior but at admission 14(51.9%) is reported. Kleptomania experienced physical and sexual abuse during childhood; 9(33.3%) in case of physical abuse and 12(44.4%) in case of sexual abuse. At admission, Most of them complains of depressive mood(88.9%, N=24) and anxiety(88.9%, M=24), and any disorders like delusion was rare(7.4%, M=2). Most of Kleptomania offenders were comorbid psychiatric disorder; mood disorder(48.1%, N=13), personality disorder(40.7%, N=11), psychotic disorder(25.9%, N=7), anxiety disorder(14.8%, N=4) and alcohol dependence(14.8%, N=4). 24(88.9%) responded to the psychiatric treatment and 16(59.2%) of them had good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Most of Kleptomania offenders were single women and were abused physically or sexually during childhood. They had comorbid psychiatric disorder that responded to the psychiatric treatment and had good prognosis.
