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Shoplifting and mental illness

Y Lamontagne1, N Carpentier, C Hetu

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Quebec.

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|June 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Shoplifting is rarely linked to mental illness, but more strongly associated with affective disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction. This study challenges the pharmacogenic shoplifting hypothesis, finding mental illness a stronger factor than psychotropic drug use.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Criminology

Background:

  • Shoplifting is a complex behavior with debated underlying causes.
  • Previous research suggested a link between psychotropic medication use and shoplifting (pharmacogenic shoplifting).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of mental illness among shoplifting offenders.
  • To examine the relationship between shoplifting and specific mental health conditions, substance abuse, and psychotropic medication use.

Main Methods:

  • A survey of 1,649 shoplifting convictions from a Montreal municipal court.
  • Analysis of case data to identify mental illness, affective disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and psychotropic drug use.

Main Results:

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  • Only 3.2% of shoplifting cases involved individuals with diagnosed mental illness.
  • A stronger association was found between shoplifting and affective disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
  • Shoplifting showed a greater correlation with mental illness than with the use of psychotropic drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the pharmacogenic shoplifting hypothesis.
  • Mental illness, particularly affective disorders, and substance abuse are more significant factors in shoplifting than psychotropic medication use.