Characteristics of Perpetrators of Family and Nonfamily Assaults

Of 389 psychiatric hospital emergency room patients interviewed, 139 cases were identified in which Ss were the perpetrators of recent assaults. These were divided into 3 categories: family-assault incidents (FAI), nonfamily-assault (NFA) incidents & family and nonfamily (FNA) incidents. Ss involved in FAI appeared to be the most stable in that they were more likely to live with others & have some employment & were less likely to report suicide or alcohol abuse. FNA Ss were more often violent.