Is Psychopathy a Dynamic Risk Factor? An Empirical Investigation of Changes in Psychopathic Personality Traits Over the Course of Correctional Treatment

This study examined whether there would be significant group-level and reliable individual changes in psychopathy measured via the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) and the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM–P) scores in a sample of 187 adult individuals with violent and sexual offense his...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Moosburner, Maeve (Author) ; Etzler, Sonja 1987- (Author) ; Brunner, Franziska (Author) ; Briken, Peer 1969- (Author) ; Rettenberger, Martin 1980- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2024
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2024, Volume: 51, Issue: 2, Pages: 230-246
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Keywords:
Psychopathy
Antisocial Behavior
Violence
PCL–R
Dynamic risk
Treatment
Description
Summary:This study examined whether there would be significant group-level and reliable individual changes in psychopathy measured via the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) and the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM–P) scores in a sample of 187 adult individuals with violent and sexual offense histories incarcerated and treated in a German social therapy facility (STF). Measurements were taken at entry into the STF and at (most) an 18-month follow-up. The results of dependent t-tests were significant, showing significant reductions in PCL–R and IM–P scores. Stronger significant reductions were observed for PCL–R Factor 1 scores and its corresponding facets compared with Factor 2 scores. Reliable individual changes measured via the Reliable Change Index (RCI) showed improvements in PCL–R and IM–P scores for some participants.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/00938548231219804