%0 Journal Article %A Yadollah Farhady %A Farbod Fadai %A Robabeh Mazinani %A Zabih Ashtari %A Morteza Alawijeh %T Sensation seeking behavior among schizophrenics %D 2007 %J Neurosciences Journal %P 62-64 %V 12 %N 1 %X OBJECTIVE: To compare sensation seeking between schizophrenic patients (and clinical subtypes of schizophrenia) according to criteria of DSM-IV-TR; and a healthy control group. Two hypotheses were assumed: 1. Sensation seeking in the control group is higher than schizophrenic patients. 2. The levels of sensation seeking are different among clinical subtypes of schizophrenia.METHODS: The sample comprised a study group of 69 schizophrenic inpatients at Raazy Psychiatric Center, Tehran, Iran in 2005 (10 males and 10 females for each of paranoid, undifferentiated and residual subtypes, and 9 males from disorganized subtype), and 50 randomly selected healthy people, the control group. To measure sensation seeking, the Zuckermann Sensation Seeking Scale, a 41-item questionnaire form, was used after evaluating its validity and reliability. After obtaining a weak or negative correlation, we omitted 9 questions, so that finally a 32-item questionnaire with highest reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.64), remained and was utilized. We used descriptive statistical methods and calculation of statistical indices, and Student t-test for independent groups to evaluate the research hypotheses.RESULTS: The first hypothesis was confirmed at a 99% significance level. The second hypothesis was rejected at a 95% significance level.CONCLUSION: We found a definite correlation between schizophrenia and a low level of sensation seeking. Accordingly, and since sensation seeking (as a part of temperament) has a strong genetic component, a low level of sensation seeking is probably an existing feature of schizophrenia. Assessing sensation seeking in high-risk populations (children or the siblings of schizophrenics) could be a practical attempt at prevention or immediate treatment of schizophrenia. %U https://nsj.org.sa/content/nsj/12/1/62.full.pdf