Resumen

FERNANDEZ CONSUEGRA, Mabel Luisa  y  FABELO MORA, Vicente A.. Violencia y esquizofrenia, ¿víctimas o victimarios?. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2003, vol.19, n.5. ISSN 0864-2125.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in a sample of schizophrenic patients, relatives or persons living with them and other members of the community, all of them belonged to health areas cared by "Lawton" and "30 de Noviembre" polyclinics and by the Community Center of Mental Health "Lawton" through the use of qualitative focal group technique. The objectives were to explore aspects of violence and schizophrenia and to learn the criteria about considering the patient either a victim or a killer. No significant differences were found among the group of patients, the persons living with them and the other members of the community regarding perception of violence (conceptualization, types of violence, mechanism of occurrence and reactions to it). It was concluded that a mental patient is a victim of violence rather than a killer; besides, it was suggested that educational activities be developed at intrasector and transector levels so as to increase knowledge on mental diseases as well as to respect them as human beings.

Palabras clave : SCHIZOPHRENIA; VIOLENCE; EPIDEMIOLOGY DESCRIPTIVE; CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDIES; FAMILY RELATIONS.