High and Low Aggressive Narcissism and Anti-social Lifestyle in Relationship to Impulsivity, Hostility, and Empathy in a Group of Forensic Patients in the Netherlands

• NCJ Number: 239363
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: March - April 2012 Pages: 147-162
• Author(s): Stefan Bogarts, Ph.D.; Machiel Polak, M.D.; Marinus Spreen. Ph.D.; Almar Zwets, M.Sc.
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined psychopathic disorder in a group of violent offenders.

Abstract

In a group of 148 violent offenders, 14 offenders were diagnosed as psychopaths (PCL-R score 30+); 46 as middle group psychopaths (PCL-R score 21-29); and 88 as non-psychopaths (PCL-R score -21). To measure impulsivity, empathy, and hostility in the three groups, clinical diagnoses of psychologists and psychiatrists were used and classified in the HKT-30. Based on Hare's PCL-R classification, psychopaths scored more problematic on impulsivity, empathy, and hostility than the middle group and non-psychopaths. Differences between the middle and psychopathic group were small. Individuals who scored high on Factors 1 and 2 showed significantly more problematic behavior on impulsivity, empathy, and hostility than individuals with a low score. Empathy and hostility contributed significantly to the prediction of Factor 1 (high aggressive narcissism; R2 = 22 percent), and empathy and impulsivity contributed significantly (not for impulsivity but meaningful) to the prediction of Factor 2 (high antisocial lifestyle; R2 = 22 percent). (Published Abstract)