TY - JOUR
T1 - Violence and mental illness in a peasant society
T2 - Characteristics of violent behaviours and 'folk' use of restraints
AU - Westermeyer, J.
AU - Kroll, J.
PY - 1978
Y1 - 1978
N2 - Thirty-five people labelled as baa (crazy or insane) were studied in Laos - a country without psychiatrists or psychiatric institutions. Informant information was obtained for violence prior to becoming baa, violence during the course of their baa condition, and violence during the seven days prior to interview. Observation for violence was made for a one day period at the time of the interview. Use of restraints was also assessed. Subjects were significantly more apt to have assaulted others, posed a risk to themselves, and been restrained (although not incarcerated) during their baa condition as compared to their previous state. Those in early stages of their condition (two years or less) manifested more violence than those later in their condition. 'Folk' use of restraints was applied only after dangerous or violent behaviour had occurred. Restraints were released as soon as practicable, but there was an 'ascending' use of certain restraint measures if violence persisted.
AB - Thirty-five people labelled as baa (crazy or insane) were studied in Laos - a country without psychiatrists or psychiatric institutions. Informant information was obtained for violence prior to becoming baa, violence during the course of their baa condition, and violence during the seven days prior to interview. Observation for violence was made for a one day period at the time of the interview. Use of restraints was also assessed. Subjects were significantly more apt to have assaulted others, posed a risk to themselves, and been restrained (although not incarcerated) during their baa condition as compared to their previous state. Those in early stages of their condition (two years or less) manifested more violence than those later in their condition. 'Folk' use of restraints was applied only after dangerous or violent behaviour had occurred. Restraints were released as soon as practicable, but there was an 'ascending' use of certain restraint measures if violence persisted.
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U2 - 10.1192/bjp.133.6.529
DO - 10.1192/bjp.133.6.529
M3 - Article
C2 - 737390
AN - SCOPUS:0018127412
SN - 0007-1250
VL - 133
SP - 529
EP - 541
JO - British Journal of Psychiatry
JF - British Journal of Psychiatry
IS - 12
ER -