DEPRESSION AND EXPRESSION OF HOSTILTIY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Background:Individuals with schizophrenia are considerably more likely to suffer from a
number of co-morbid psychiatric disorders such as depression. Evidence reveals hostility and
inapt management of feelings of hostility has been acknowledged as primary parts of
symptomatology of schizophrenia. The present study is concerned with exploring knowledge
about the relationship between depression and expression of hostility in schizophrenia.
Objectives: To study the impact of depression and its relationship with expression of hostility,
and to explore the intrapunitive and extrapunitive dimensions of hostility expressed by
individuals with schizophrenia. Methodology: Thirty individuals with schizophrenia (ICD-10)
were included using purposive sampling technique. The tools Hamilton Rating Scale for
Depression and Extrapunitive- Intrapunitive Attitude scale were used to measure depression and
expression of hostility respectively. Results: The mean age of the participants were 27.67 ±
5.785 SD and majority of the participants were female (53.33 %). The mean score for depression
is 32.57 ± 8.140 indicating that all the subjects have severe level. Divided the sample into less
(n=10) and high severe (n=20) based on standard mean and comparison shows high severe
depressive group has significant level of criticism of others (U=53.33; p=0.09), and overall
extrapunitive expression of hostility (U=49.40; p=0.024) when comparing with less severe
group. Correlation analysis not revealed any significant relationship between hostility and
depression. There is some demographic variables which seems to be related to the hostility.
Conclusion: Individuals with schizophrenia coupled with high level of depression demonstrate
extrapunitive expression of hostility and there is some impact of demographic variables on
hostility.