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The prediction of violent and nonviolent criminal behavior in a methadone maintenance population.

Abstract
The utility of traits associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder in making risk assessments of violent and nonviolent crimes was examined in 254 subjects sampled from a methadone maintenance population. A factor analysis of a number of baseline measures resulted in five factors measuring hostility, insecure attachment, impaired reality testing, antisocial personality, and empathy. These factors were used in logistic regression analysis to predict charges for violent and nonviolent crimes over a 2-year period. Individuals with high scores on the antisocial personality factor had an increased risk of both violent and nonviolent criminal charges. Individuals with low scores on the empathy factor were at high risk for violent crimes. In an analysis using the factor components rather than the factors, the measures of perspective-taking and a socialization were associated with violent criminal charges, and the measure of psychopathy, but not antisocial behavior, was associated with nonviolent criminal charges. The results support the use of measures of personality traits in addition to measures of a history of antisocial behavior in making violence risk assessments in substance-dependent patients. The DSM construct and diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder may be enhanced by greater emphasis on personality traits associated with antisocial behavior.
AuthorsGregory B Bovasso, Arthur I Alterman, John S Cacciola, Megan J Rutherford
JournalJournal of personality disorders (J Pers Disord) Vol. 16 Issue 4 Pg. 360-73 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 0885-579X [Print] United States
PMID12224128 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Methadone
Topics
  • Adult
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder (diagnosis)
  • Crime
  • Heroin Dependence (psychology, rehabilitation)
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methadone (therapeutic use)
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Violence

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