Psychopathy and behavioral correlates of victim injury in serious juvenile offenders

Abstract

The study examines delinquent behavior and psychopathy and assesses their relationship to victim injury in a population of 168 incarcerated juvenile delinquent males with lengthy histories of criminal and violent behavior. A series of multiple regressions found that 17% of the variance associated with level of victim injury was accounted for by a model that included the three-factor model of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version [Forth, Kosson, and Hare, 2003], criminal versatility, and age of onset of criminal offending. Notably, anger and DSM-IV symptoms of conduct disorder were not related to level of victim injury. The results of this study support an escalation hypothesis where individuals with earlier onset to criminal behavior and greater criminal versatility escalate to more severe violence. The current results demonstrate the importance of integrating established theories of juvenile delinquency when explaining severe violence in youth.

Incarcerated youths with high or low callous–unemotional traits: a comparison controlling for age of crime onset

“…It is important to highlight the fact that, at least regarding self-reported delinquency and crime seriousness, significant differences were previously present when not controlling for age of crime onset, and that the presence of the covariable statistically affected those two dependent variables (i.e., they became non-significant). Our results do not corroborate previous studies in which CU traits predicted more severe antisocial behaviors and outcomes even after controlling for age of onset (McMahon et al, 2010;Stickle et al, 2009;Vitacco et al, 2007). The findings lead us to argue that additional research is needed when investigating the associations described in the literature between antisocial behaviors and psychopathic traits (e.g., Sevecke & Kosson, 2010;Van Baardewijk, Vermeiren, Stegge & Doreleijers, 2011), especially the CU dimension of psychopathic traits (e.g., Edens, Campbell, & Weir, 2007;Frick, 2009;Frick & White, 2008;Salekin & Lynam, 2010), namely taking into increased consideration the important role of early onset.…”

“…Again, this was not consistent with some previous studies (e.g., Stickle et al, 2009;Vitacco et al, 2007), and raises the possibility that the relation between CU traits and frequency, diversity and severity of antisocial and criminal behaviors is moderated by age of crime onset. Therefore, also in this case, the hypothesis that was previously set was not confirmed.…”

“…Vitacco, Caldwell, van Rybroek, and Gabel (2007), using a forensic sample of youths (age range 12-17 years, showed that CU traits were associated with extent of victim injury when controlling for the effects of age of onset (and also CD, and criminal versatility). Stickle, Kirkpatrick, and Brush (2009), using a forensic sample of youths (age range 11-17 years), demonstrated that CU traits explained selfreported aggression even after controlling for early onset of antisocial behavior (and impulsivity).…”

Can callous-unemotional traits enhance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of serious conduct problems in children and adolescents? A comprehensive review.

“…Four studies summarized in Table 7 reported that CU traits were more common in youths with childhood-onset to their antisocial behavior compared to those with an adolescent-onset (Bauer, Whitman, & Kosson, 2011;Brandt, Kennedy, Patrick, & Curtin, 1997;Dandreaux & Frick, 2009;Silverthorn, Frick, & Reynolds, 2001). However, five studies reported results showing that psychopathic or CU traits predicted more severe antisocial outcomes, even when controlling for age of onset (Basque, Toupin, & Cote, 2012;Loeber et al, 2005;McMahon, Witkiewitz, Kotler, & The Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group, 2010;Stickle et al, 2009;Vitacco, Caldwell, Van Rybroek, & Gabel, 2007). Of particular note, in a large high-risk community sample (n ϭ 754), McMahon et al (2010) reported that CU traits assessed in seventh grade significantly predicted adult antisocial outcomes (e.g., adult arrests, adult antisocial personality symptoms) controlling for ADHD, ODD, CD, and childhood-onset of CD.…”

Survivors of psychopaths : an investigation of victimization experiences, coping, and social support

“…Psychopaths are highly likely to commit more sadistic (Hare, Cooke, & Hart, 1999;Holt, Meloy, & Strack, 1999;Meloy, 2000;Porter, Woodworm, Earle, Drugge, & Boer, 2003) and persistently brutal (Huss & Langhinrichsen-Rohling, 2000;Vitacco, Caldwell, Van Rybroek, & Gabel, 2007;Walsh, 1999;Williamson, Hare, & Wong, 1987) forms of violence than nonpsychopaths. Sadism, arousal from the physical and/or…”