Sensation seeking behavior among schizophrenics

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.