Testing theoretical models for future clinical practice in the treatment of psychopathy

Abstract

The present study tests J.S. Wiggins and P.D. Trapnell's (1996. A dyadic-interactional perspective on the five-factor model. In J.S. Wiggins (Ed.), The five-factor model of personality: Theoretical perspectives (pp. 88–162). New York, NY: Guilford Press) meta-concepts of community and agency and H. Richards’ (1998. Evil intent: Violence and disorders of the will. In T. Millon, E. Simonsen, M. Birket-Smith, & R.D. Davis (Eds.), Psychopathy, antisocial, criminal, and violent behavior (pp. 69–94). New York, NY: Guilford Press) model of structural affective, relational, and defensive deviances in pathological extreme self-states in psychopathic high-security and detention prisoners, to identify areas where psychopaths may be influenced to change. Male inmates (n = 16) were compared to non-criminal and non-personality disordered controls (n = 35) on measures of parental bonding, symptom- and character pathology, and psychological defense. Results revealed a tendency toward parental overprotection or control. Attachment patterns characterized with neglect (lack of community) and affectionless control (lack of agency) were reported in more than half of the study's parental population. About 50% of the offenders were diagnosed with affective problems, and testing revealed high levels of immature defense. The possibility of a link between empirical findings and clinical theories provides therapists with knowledge that might be crucial for future treatment of psychopathy.

Keywords:

• psychopathy
• treatment
• developmental

Acknowledgments

‘The National Program for Integrated Clinical Specialist and PhD-training for Psychologists’ in Norway supported this study. This program is a joint cooperation between the Universities of Bergen, Oslo, and Tromsø, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim), the Regional Health Authorities, and the Norwegian Psychological Association. The Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Health and Care Services funded the program jointly.