The role of emotion regulation in the relations between psychopathy factors and impulsive and premeditated aggression.

Abstract

Given the high rates of aggressive behavior among highly psychopathic individuals, much research has sought to clarify the nature of the relation between psychopathy and aggression. The present study examined relations between Fearless Dominance (PPI FD), Self-Centered Impulsivity (PPI SCI), and Coldheartedness (PPI CH) Factors of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996) and aggression dimensions (premeditated and impulsive aggression) in a sample of substance users receiving inpatient treatment. At the univariate level, PPI FD traits were significantly and positively related to premeditated aggression, but were not significantly related to impulsive aggression. PPI SCI traits were positively related to both forms of aggression, whereas PPI CH was not significantly related to either aggression dimension. Emotion regulation difficulties, as measured by the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004), were negatively related to PPI FD traits, positively related to PPI SCI traits, and negatively related to PPI CH traits. Both PPI SCI and PPI FD traits exerted significant indirect effects on impulsive aggression through the DERS. In contrast, the DERS did not mediate the relations between psychopathic traits and premeditated aggression. Results provide a more nuanced understanding of the psychopathy-aggression relations and suggest that difficulties with emotion regulation may be an important mediator of the relations between psychopathy factors and impulsive aggression.

Annual Research Review: Suicide among youth – epidemiology, (potential) etiology, and treatment

“…Of note, efforts to clarify impulsive aggression have been encouraged (García‐Forero, Gallardo‐Pujol, Maydeu‐Olivares, & Andrés‐Pueyo, ), along with exploring its overlap with related constructs (e.g. emotion regulation, angry rumination, reduced self‐control; Denson, Pederson, Friese, Hahm, & Roberts, ; Long, Felton, Lilienfeld, & Lejuez, ).…”

Cognitive Decline as a Result of Incarceration and the Effects of a CBT/MT Intervention: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Impaired emotion regulation has been associated with antisocial behavior (Lewis, Granic, & Lamm, 2006; Long, Felton, Lilienfeld, & Lejuez, 2014; Roberton, Daffern, & Bucks, 2012; Roberton, Daffern, & Bucks, 2014). Under- and over-regulation of emotion are both considered pathways to aggressive behavior (Roberton et al, 2012).…”

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and risky behaviors among trauma-exposed inpatients with substance dependence: The influence of negative and positive urgency

“…For example, levels of emotion dysregulation among inpatients with SUD have been found to be significantly positively associated with overall risky behaviors (e.g., Weiss et al, 2012), as well as the specific risky behaviors of substance use (e.g., Axelrod et al, 2011), risky sexual behavior (e.g., Tull et al, 2012), deliberate self-harm (e.g., Gratz and Tull, 2010b), aggressive behavior (e.g., Long et al, 2014), and disordered eating (e.g., Lavender et al, 2015). Further, and of particular relevance to the present study, results of Weiss et al (2012) provide initial support for the mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the PTSD-risky behavior relation among inpatients with SUD.…”