A Study of the Clinical characteristics and Psychopathology of Kleptomania offenders.

Korean J Leg Med. 2001 Oct;25(2):12-19. Korean.

Department of Psychiatry, the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Justice.

Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan.

OBJECT: This study was devised to examine the demographic characteristics, psychopathology and associated psychiatric disorder of the Kleptomania offenders. METHODS: Kleptomania offenders who was referred to the National Forensic Psychiatric Hospital was concerned. RESULTS: Most of the Kleptomania offenders were women(92.6%, N=25) and lived alone(71.4%, N=20). In their first stealing, 25(92.6%) reported stressful situation just before stealing behavior but at admission 14(51.9%) is reported. Kleptomania experienced physical and sexual abuse during childhood; 9(33.3%) in case of physical abuse and 12(44.4%) in case of sexual abuse. At admission, Most of them complains of depressive mood(88.9%, N=24) and anxiety(88.9%, M=24), and any disorders like delusion was rare(7.4%, M=2). Most of Kleptomania offenders were comorbid psychiatric disorder; mood disorder(48.1%, N=13), personality disorder(40.7%, N=11), psychotic disorder(25.9%, N=7), anxiety disorder(14.8%, N=4) and alcohol dependence(14.8%, N=4). 24(88.9%) responded to the psychiatric treatment and 16(59.2%) of them had good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Most of Kleptomania offenders were single women and were abused physically or sexually during childhood. They had comorbid psychiatric disorder that responded to the psychiatric treatment and had good prognosis

Key Words : Kleptomania, offenders