Aggressive antisocial behavior- clinical, cognitive, and behavioral covariates of its persistence
Author
Summary, in English
Introduction
Aggressive antisocial behavior is a major challenge to society, and studies on the determinants of its persistence are essential to the development of strategies to prevent violence.
Aims & Methods
The overall aim of the thesis was to establish covariates of persistent aggressive antisocial behavior in a population-based cohort and in clinically evaluated, prospectively followed, offender groups. Specific aims were:
(1) to quantify the persistence of aggressive antisocial behavior,
(2) to identify risk factors for such persistence,
(3) to describe the distribution of psychopathic traits (according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised; PCL-R) in relation to clinical factors, and
(4) to determine thinking styles related to aggressive antisocial behavior.
Results
One percent of the Swedish general population was responsible for 63% of all violent crimes between 1973 and 2004. Risk factors for persistence of aggressive antisocial behavior included its early onset, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and substance-related disorders. In the PCL-R, the Antisocial facet outperformed all other facets and the total score as a predictor of persistence. The Interpersonal facet showed unique clinical attributes. A distorted thinking style characterized by antisocial features was related to aggressive antisocial behavior.
Conclusions
Aggressive antisocial behaviors and clinical factors including externalizing mental health problems aggregate within individuals. The best predictor of future aggressive antisocial behavior is a history of similar behaviors, especially with an early onset. Scientific and clinical efforts aimed to prevent violence have therefore to focus both on early-onset and persistent aggressive antisocial behavior, and their associated clinical and cognitive characteristics.
Aggressive antisocial behavior is a major challenge to society, and studies on the determinants of its persistence are essential to the development of strategies to prevent violence.
Aims & Methods
The overall aim of the thesis was to establish covariates of persistent aggressive antisocial behavior in a population-based cohort and in clinically evaluated, prospectively followed, offender groups. Specific aims were:
(1) to quantify the persistence of aggressive antisocial behavior,
(2) to identify risk factors for such persistence,
(3) to describe the distribution of psychopathic traits (according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised; PCL-R) in relation to clinical factors, and
(4) to determine thinking styles related to aggressive antisocial behavior.
Results
One percent of the Swedish general population was responsible for 63% of all violent crimes between 1973 and 2004. Risk factors for persistence of aggressive antisocial behavior included its early onset, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and substance-related disorders. In the PCL-R, the Antisocial facet outperformed all other facets and the total score as a predictor of persistence. The Interpersonal facet showed unique clinical attributes. A distorted thinking style characterized by antisocial features was related to aggressive antisocial behavior.
Conclusions
Aggressive antisocial behaviors and clinical factors including externalizing mental health problems aggregate within individuals. The best predictor of future aggressive antisocial behavior is a history of similar behaviors, especially with an early onset. Scientific and clinical efforts aimed to prevent violence have therefore to focus both on early-onset and persistent aggressive antisocial behavior, and their associated clinical and cognitive characteristics.
Department/s
- Forensic Psychiatry, Malmö
- EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Publication/Series
Lund University Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series
Volume
2012:96
Full text
- Available as PDF - 777 kB
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Document type
Dissertation
Publisher
Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University
Topic
- Psychiatry
Keywords
- risk assessment
- risk factors
- externalizing spectrum
- mental disorders
- persistent criminality
- violence
- antisocial behavior
- prevention
Status
Published
Research group
- Forensic Psychiatry, Malmö
Supervisor
- Henrik Anckarsäter
- Thomas Nilsson
- Björn Hofvander
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1652-8220
- ISBN: 978-91-87189-59-3
Defence date
14 December 2012
Defence time
13:00
Defence place
Aulan, Clinical Research Center (CRC), Skånes universitetssjukhus, Malmö
Opponent
- Caroline Logan