Inpatient and postdischarge aggression in mentally disordered offenders: The role of psychopathy

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that psychopathy, as measured by the Hare Psychopathy Checklist is related to violent behavior, recidivism, and career criminality in nonpsychotic, correctional populations. However, the present study is among only a few to investigate the relationship between psychopathy and violence in mentally disordered offenders. Participants (N = 218) were administered the PCL following admission to an inpatient forensic hospital. Significant correlations between the PCL total scores and both nonphysical and physical aggression during the first 2 months of hospitalization were observed. The PCL total scores were also significantly correlated with postdischarge arrests for offenses against persons but not for offenses against property. Both age and PCL total score were significantly related to the total number of aggressive incidents during the first 2 months of hospitalisation, but only the PCL total was significantly related to frequency of seclusion or restraint during this period. Results suggest that psychopathy may serve as a riskfactorfor mentally disordered offendersfor certain kinds of aggression.