Exploring the Link Between Personality Disorder and Criminality in a Community Sample

Abstract

This study sought to identify, among a sample of 224 community residents with DSM-diagnosed personality disorder (PD), those personality and criminal history features associated with a combination of antisocial and borderline PDs (APD/BPD). After identifying first- and higher-order factors through factor analysis of IPDE item scores, forensic history and personality correlates of the identified higher-order factors were identified using regression analysis. Those having APD/BPD were more likely than the remainder to have received a conviction for violence and a custodial sentence. They showed higher trait anger and impulsivity and a greater history of aggression, and scored significantly higher on a higher-order "psychopathy" factor. In contrast, anankastic traits were inversely related to criminal history variables. It is concluded that APD/BPD represents a particularly criminogenic blend of traits likely to be overrepresented in high-secure forensic samples, and underrepresented in community PD samples. Future research should address the mechanisms through which PDs are related to criminality.

Aggression in Borderline Personality Disorder

“…Each of these conditions alone is well known to substantially elevate the risk for violence: this is true for substance use disorders [10,20], bipolar disorder [21] and antisocial personality disorder [22]. The comorbidity of BPD with antisocial personality disorder was observed to be particularly criminogenic in terms of convictions for violent crime in a British community sample [23].…”

Borderline personality disorder: Prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity among male offenders on probation in Sweden

“…This pattern of comorbidity is associated with severe conduct disorder in childhood [27,28] and may share biological risk factors such as high testosterone/ cortisol ratio [29]. Indeed, compared with either BPD or ASPD alone, comorbid BPD and ASPD has been associated with increased suicide risk [30], violence and criminal behavior in community residents [27,31] as well as re-offending in forensic populations [32].…”

Personality disorders and the risk of violating legal norms – what we know about the complex nature of humans

“…In addition, they also abuse psychoactive substances more frequently, which is an additional factor that significantly increases the use of violence. As Johnson et al point out (2000), people with A-or B-cluster personality disorders are estimated to have three times higher risk of violent behaviour (Howard et al, 2008). In the case of people with A-and C-cluster personality disorders, no such risk was observed.…”

“…However, people with A-cluster disorders display increased suspicion, bizarre forms of thinking or social isolation, which may be associated with more serious forms of violence. In turn, people with C-cluster disorders are characterised by submissiveness and strong control of their behaviour, which does not appear to be conducive to violence (Howard, Huband, Duggan, & Mannion, 2008). It must be borne in mind, however, that behind apparent submission and acceptance, anger and rage may be hidden due to the need to need to give up one's own desires or due to rejection.…”