Schema modes in criminal and violent behaviour of forensic cluster B PD patients: A retrospective and prospective study

Abstract

Purpose A clear understanding of an offender's criminal behaviour is a prerequisite for determining suitable treatment. In the literature, several specific frameworks or therapeutic approaches that aim to explicate criminal behaviour can be distinguished (e.g., cognitive analytic therapy, offence paralleling behaviour paradigm), but Schema Therapy (ST) is becoming an increasingly popular paradigm. According to forensic ST's theoretical framework, criminal and violent behaviour can be explained by an unfolding sequence of schema modes, or moment‐to‐moment states that represent emotions, cognitions, and behaviour. In this study, we examine the validity of this theory and the relationship between schema modes, psychopathy, and institutional violence. Methods Schema modes were assessed retrospectively from descriptions of patients’ crimes in a sample of 95 hospitalized cluster B personality disordered offenders. Psychopathy was rated with the Psychopathy Checklist‐Revised and institutional transgressions were coded from daily hospital reports. Results Our findings show that criminal behaviour is often preceded by schema modes that refer to feelings of vulnerability and abandonment, loneliness, and states of intoxication. Criminal behaviour itself is characterized by schema modes that refer to states of impulsivity, anger, and the use of overcompensatory strategies involving threats, intimidation, and aggression. Schema modes involving bullying and manipulation were positively correlated with the interpersonal facet of psychopathy; the vulnerable child mode was negatively correlated with the affective facet of psychopathy. The schema modes in this study moderately predicted later institutional transgressions. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the schema mode concept is of explanatory value in understanding criminal and violent behaviour.

Developing a Taxonomy of Dark Triad Triggers at Work – A Grounded Theory Study Protocol

“…As very little is known about situational triggers of dark triad states at work, we can anticipate results only based on research on influencing factors of dark triad traits (Jonason et al, 2016) and maladaptive behaviors that are clinically relevant (i.e., schema modes; Keulen-de Vos et al, 2014). Research suggests for example that antisocial behavior at work (Robinson and O’Leary-Kelly, 1998; Lubit, 2002), competitive environments (Greenberg, 1990) and environments that can reduce a sense of behavioral accountability (e.g., cyberspace; Nevin, 2015) could facilitate dark personality expressions at work via social learning processes.…”

Validation of the schema mode concept in personality disordered offenders

“…They found that borderline patients with PD were characterized by the aforementioned schema mode model. Keulen-de Vos, Bernstein, and Duggan (2016), Keulen-de Vos, Bernstein, Vanstipelen, et al (2016), and Keulen-de Vos, van den Broek, Bernstein, Valentin, and Arntz (2016) recently showed that vulnerable emotions seem to be involved in triggering criminal behaviour and institutional transgressions in forensic patients with cluster-B personality disorders. Descriptions of patients' crimes and the events leading up to the crime were rated for schema modes in a sample of 95 hospitalized cluster-B PD offenders.…”

“…In this study, we followed up on Keulen-de Vos, , Keulen-de Vos, Bernstein, Vanstipelen, et al (2016), and Keulen-de Vos, van den Broek, et al (2016) and further tested the construct validity of the schema mode concept. According to ST's theoretical framework, criminal and violent behaviour can be explicated by the unfolding sequence of schema modes.…”

“…(), Keulen‐de Vos, Bernstein, Vanstipelen, et al . (), and Keulen‐de Vos, van den Broek, et al . () and further tested the construct validity of the schema mode concept.…”

“…Note. Criminal behaviour has been investigated in the study by Keulen-de Vos,, Keulen-de Vos,Bernstein, Vanstipelen, et al (2016), and Keulen-de Vos,van den Broek, et al (2016).…”