Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 16 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 58-65
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260508
Prevalence of Aggressive Behavior Among Acute Psychiatric Inpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Psychiatric Hospital in Kerala
Kiran Babu1, Indu V Nair2, Eapen Varghese3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Zion Medical College, Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
2Senior Consultant, Mental Health Center, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Zion Medical College, Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Corresponding Author: Kiran Babu
ABSTRACT
Background: Aggression and psychiatry have always been an area which have contributed to the stigma which a psychiatric patient faces. Aggressive behaviour is mostly seen in acute care settings. Studying aggressive behaviour is important as it plays important role in patient care and safety The safety of patient and the treating personal is of importance here. There is a dearth of studies in our country. This study tries to find the prevalence of aggressive behavior in psychiatric inpatients.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 400. Consenting inpatients were included in the study. Diagnosis was based on DSM5. Basic data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire, illness severity was evaluated using BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) and aggressive behaviour was evaluated using MOAS (Modified Overt Aggression Scale).
Result: Our study revealed a prevalence of 30% aggressive behaviour with verbal aggression being the most common type of aggressive behaviour. Statistical analysis revealed an association between past history of aggression and aggressive behaviour in the current admission. A positive correlation was found between MOAS score and BPRS scores
Conclusion: Past history of aggression alone was seen associated with aggressive behaviour in the current study. A positive correlation was seen between MOAS score and BPRS scores.
Key words: Aggressive behaviour, past history, MOAS, BPRS