Victimization and psychopathic features in a population-based sample of Finnish adolescents

Abstract

We examined different forms of victimization experiences in relation to psychopathic features and whether these associations differed in boys and girls among 4855 Finnish school adolescents aged 15-16 years. Psychopathic features were measured with the Antisocial Process Screening Device- Self Report (APSD-SR). Victimization was assessed with questions about violent and abusive experiences across lifetime and within the last 12 months. Results from linear regression analysis showed that victimization was significantly associated with higher APSD-SR total scores, more strongly in girls than boys. Recent (12-month) victimization showed significance in the relationship between victimization and psychopathic features; especially recent sexual abuse and parental corporal punishment were strong determinants of higher APSD-SR total scores. The present study demonstrates novel findings on how severe victimization experiences relate to psychopathic features in community youth, especially in girls. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive evaluation of victimization experiences when psychopathic features are present in youth.

Linking childhood trauma exposure to adolescent justice involvement: The concept of posttraumatic risk‐seeking

“…Longitudinal research also will allow investigations into the mechanisms by which posttraumatic risk‐seeking develops. For example, a growing body of the literature suggests that callous traits, which are characterized by a lack of empathy and remorse, can be understood as a form of emotional desensitization in the aftermath of exposure to childhood trauma, maltreatment, and victimization (Baskin‐Sommers & Baskin, ; Kimonis, Fanti, Isoma, & Donoghue, ; Krischer & Sevecke, ; Saukkonen et al, ), and the PTSS resulting from these experiences (Bennett & Kerig, ; Tatar, Cauffman, Kimonis, & Skeem, ). Significantly, callous traits not only predict the most aggressive and recalcitrant forms of offending but also are associated with risky sexual behavior, substance misuse, and sensation‐seeking among justice‐involved boys (Thornton et al, ).…”

Maturation as a Promoter of Change in Features of Psychopathy Between Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

“…Intervention strategies for psychopathy typically relied on the use of cognitive behavioral therapy to mitigate the likelihood of future criminal behavior (Polaschek & Skeem, 2018). Focusing instead on how to modify features of psychopathy through improvements in maturation may be a more holistic approach that addresses a broader set of negative outcomes associated with psychopathy (Hemphälä & Hodgins, 2014;Herpers et al, 2016;Saukkonen et al, 2016). Rocque's (2015) IMT was used as a framework for the measurement of different components of psychosocial, adult social role, and identity maturation among boys and girls from the Pathways to Desistance Study (n ¼ 1,354).…”

“…Psychopathy is associated with various negative behavioral, health, and social outcomes (Hemphälä & Hodgins, 2014; Herpers et al, 2016; Saukkonen et al, 2016). This has lead to calls to identify factors that influence change in features of psychopathy (see Lynam et al, 2008; Reidy et al, 2015).…”

“…Psychopathy is defined by deficits in interpersonal (e.g., manipulative, deceitful), affective (e.g., callous-unemotional [CU] traits, lack of remorse), and behavioral (e.g., impulsivity, sensation-seeking) domains of functioning (Andershed et al, 2002). Persons with strong features of psychopathy are at-risk of various negative outcomes, including criminal behavior, poor physical health, unemployment, low educational attainment, additional mental health problems (e.g., anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders), victimization, and an overall poorer quality of life (Beaver et al, 2014; Hemphälä & Hodgins, 2014; Herpers et al, 2016; Saukkonen et al, 2016). Intervention responses to psychopathy have relied primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce the likelihood of behavioral problems (Polaschek & Skeem, 2018).…”

Is Female Psychopathy Linked with Child Abuse? An Empirical Investigation using a Person-Centered Approach

“…1 Indeed, we only identified one study of a community sample of youth that examined associations between child abuse and victimization and psychopathic features. Drawing on data from 4,855 school adolescents in Finland, Saukkonen et al (2016) found that victimization or abuse experiences were stronger predictors of psychopathic personality among girls than boys. However, the gendered effects were only seen for lifetime victimization experiences.…”