The Role of Psychopathic Traits in the Development of the Therapeutic Alliance Among Sexual Offenders

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Walton ◽  
Elizabeth L. Jeglic ◽  
Brandy L. Blasko
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Group Status ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Working Alliance Inventory ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised

There is a growing body of research demonstrating that the therapeutic alliance (TA) affects outcomes among specialized forensic populations, including sexual offenders. Despite this consensus, researchers continue to question whether higher levels of psychopathic traits are conducive to the formation of a therapeutic relationship for high-risk sexual offenders. Thus, the current study adds to the literature by examining the relationship between the TA and levels of psychopathy among a sample of incarcerated sexual offenders participating in sexual offender treatment. Overall, we found no significant relationships between Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) scores and the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) for either client or therapist ratings. However, when we excluded those offenders who were participating in aftercare, a significant negative relationship was found between client ratings of the Bonds subscale and PCL-R total scores. Next, after controlling for risk and group status (aftercare/non-aftercare), we found no significant differences between either client or therapist total WAI scores when compared by level of psychopathy as measured by the PCL-R (low, >20; moderate, 20-30; and high, >30). Furthermore, when Factor 1 and Factor 2 scores of the PCL-R were examined individually, neither factor significantly predicted either client or therapist total WAI score after controlling for risk and group status. Findings are discussed as they pertain to the treatment of sexual offenders with elevated levels of psychopathic traits.

Sexual offender treatment outcomes among psychopathy subtypes

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay A. Sewall ◽  
Mark E. Olver
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Disability ◽  
Sexual Offender Treatment ◽  
Treatment Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽  
General Recidivism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine sexual offender treatment responses as a function of psychopathy subtype. Design/methodology/approach Measures of sexual violence risk, treatment change and outcome variables were coded retrospectively on a sample of 86 high Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) scoring sexual offenders. Psychopathy subtypes were identified through cluster analysis of PCL-R facet scores. Findings Two subtypes were identified labeled classic and aggressive. They were comparable in their level of risk and need and did not differ in rates of treatment completion or change. The aggressive subtype had higher rates of violent and general recidivism and higher frequencies of major mental disorder and cognitive disability. Results of Cox regression survival analysis demonstrated that treatment-related changes in risk were associated with reductions in violent recidivism for the aggressive, but not classic, psychopathy variant. Practical implications Psychopathy is a heterogeneous syndrome. Moreover, psychopathic offenders can demonstrate risk relevant treatment changes. PCL-R facet profiles have important responsivity implications. However, not all psychopathic offenders fare poorly in treatment. Originality/value This is one of very few studies to examine treatment response and links to outcome among psychopathic offenders, particularly as this relates to subtype.

Intelligence and psychopathy: a correlational study on insane female offenders

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Spironelli ◽  
D. Segrè ◽  
L. Stegagno ◽  
A. Angrilli
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Female Offenders ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Correlational Study ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽  
Raven's Progressive Matrices ◽  
Future Consequences

BackgroundThe occurrence of a significant relationship between psychopathic traits and intelligence is still open to debate. Most of the relevant information has been obtained from crystallized IQ tests or on psychopathic male offenders. In this study we hypothesized a negative correlation between psychopathic traits and fluid intelligence on a sample of criminal female in-patients.MethodWe carried out a correlational study on a selected sample of 56 criminal female offenders. Variables that were measured include the Hare Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) total score (and, separately, the scores from its four subscales: Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial) and fluid IQ measured by Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM).ResultsPearson's correlation between RPM IQ and total PCL-R score was negative (r54 = − 0.55, p < 0.001); women with greater psychopathy traits (total PCL-R score) had lower IQ scores. Negative correlations were also found between IQ and the four PCL-R subscales, Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial (r54 = − 0.35, p < 0.01, r54 = − 0.52, p < 0.001, r54 = − 0.53, p < 0.001, and r54 = − 0.49, p < 0.001 respectively).ConclusionsThe results indicate a general negative relationship between PCL-R and IQ, equally distributed across the four subcomponents of the psychopathic trait, and support the view that unsuccessful psychopathic women have poor planning and are unable to foresee and represent future consequences of their actions.

Working Alliance and Psychopathy: Linkages to Treatment Outcome in a Sample of Treated Sexual Offenders

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1739-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle R. DeSorcy ◽  
Mark E. Olver ◽  
J. Stephen Wormith
Keyword(s):  
Working Alliance ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Treatment Program ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Working Alliances ◽  
Information Centre ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Working Alliance Inventory ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised

The present study examined the working alliance, as measured by the full-length Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and its association with psychopathy, treatment completion, and recidivism in a sample of 111 incarcerated adult male sexual offenders. The men completed the WAI 3 months into their treatment program, while psychopathy was measured via file-based ratings of the Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), and outcome data were collected via the Canadian Police Information Centre. The majority (85%) of high PCL-R scoring men (PCL-R 25+) successfully completed their treatment program, and by and large, the men demonstrated strong working alliances with their primary therapists. The WAI scale components showed differential associations with the structural features of psychopathy. Specifically, the Affective facet was significantly associated with weaker Bond scores, while the Lifestyle facet was associated with lower Task scores; these results were upheld after controlling for scores on the other PCL-R facets. Strength of alliance, however, was not significantly associated with any recidivism outcomes, irrespective of controls for psychopathy. Implications for the treatment of offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits are discussed in light of extant findings and unique features of the therapeutic alliance.

Rape Treatment: An Overview of Current Knowledge

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Thakker ◽  
Theresa A. Gannon
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offender Treatment ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour

AbstractSexual offending is frequently seen by the lay person as being a result of an innate abnormality that is relatively fixed and unchangeable. Accordingly, sexual offenders are seen as more likely to recidivate than other types of offenders. In fact, this is not the case, and most sexual offenders do not re-offend. Also, contemporary research has shown that treatment programs driven by cognitive behaviour therapy significantly reduce rates of sexual offender recidivism. Nevertheless, while there has been a great deal of research on the treatment of child sexual offenders, the treatment of rapists has received comparatively less attention. Thus, the main aim of this article is to summarise current knowledge of sexual offender treatment, paying specific attention to the needs of rapists. In particular, we pay attention to the content of sexual offender treatment programs, and the relevance of this content to rape. We also discuss therapeutic issues of relevance for rapist treatment that are typically ignored or underestimated in the research literature. Finally, based upon our analysis of the literature, we present a schematic overview of rape treatment and identify important areas for further research.

The Impact of Interpersonal Style on Ruptures and Repairs in the Therapeutic Alliance Between Offenders and Therapists in Sex Offender Treatment

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 709-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Watson ◽  
Stuart Thomas ◽  
Michael Daffern
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Interpersonal Style ◽  
The Impact

The therapeutic relationship is a critical component of psychological treatment. Strain can occur in the relationship, particularly when working with offenders, and more specifically, those offenders with interpersonal difficulties; strain can lead to a rupture, which may affect treatment participation and performance. This study examined ruptures in the therapeutic relationship in sexual offenders participating in offense-focused group treatment. Fifty-four sex offenders rated the therapeutic alliance at the commencement and completion of treatment; at the completion of treatment, they also reported on the occurrence of ruptures and whether they believed these ruptures were repaired. Ruptures were separated by type, according to severity—Each relationship was therefore characterized as experiencing no rupture, a minor rupture, or a major rupture. Offender characteristics including interpersonal style (IPS) and psychopathy were assessed at the commencement of treatment; their relationship with ruptures was examined. Results revealed that more than half of the offenders (approximately 55%) experienced a rupture in the therapeutic alliance, with one in four of these ruptures remaining unresolved. Offenders who did not report a rupture rated the therapeutic alliance significantly higher at the end of treatment compared with those offenders who reported a rupture that was not repaired. Offenders who reported a major rupture in the therapeutic relationship were higher in interpersonal hostility and hostile-dominance. No interpersonal or offense-specific factors affected the likelihood of a rupture repair.

Primer on the Contribution of Crime Scene Behavior to the Forensic Assessment of Sexual Offenders

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. B. Lehmann ◽  
Klaus-Peter Dahle ◽  
Alexander F. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Crime Scene ◽  
Forensic Assessment ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Scene Information

Abstract. Over the last decades several attempts in developing incrementally valid risk indicators above and beyond standard actuarial and dynamic risk assessment instruments have been undertaken without much success. The current review will summarize current developments regarding the validity of detailed crime scene analysis for forensic assessments of sexual offenders. To this end, this overview will focus on two issues: First, we will discuss the issue of sexual offender risk assessment based on crime scene information. Second, we will outline how crime scene behavior contributes to the assessment of sexual interest in children. In each section we will introduce the reader to new approaches and instruments for risk assessment and diagnosing pedophilic sexual interest based on crime scene information, respectively, and discuss their validity. Finally, we will discuss the implications of these recent developments for risk assessment, risk management, offender treatment, and future research.

Enhancing evidence-based treatment of child sexual abuse material offenders: The development of the CEM-COPE Program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Henshaw ◽  
Chelsea Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offender ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Treatment Considerations

Recent research suggests that child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offenders have distinct characteristics and intervention needs when compared to contact sexual offenders. As such, many sexual offender treatment programs may not be suitable for CSAM offenders without a history of contact offences. This paper describes the development of the CEM-COPE (Coping with Child Exploitation Material Use) Program. We discuss CSAM offender characteristics, recidivism rates and treatment considerations, before outlining the rationale, specifications and underpinnings of the CEM-COPE Program. Challenges in this research area and considerations for future research are also addressed.

The Relationship between the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised and the MMPI–2: A Pilot Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita L. Hansen ◽  
Lisa Stokkeland ◽  
Ståle Pallesen ◽  
Bjørn Helge Johnsen ◽  
Leif Waage
Keyword(s):  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Clinical Scales ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽  
Partial Correlations ◽  
Psychopathic Deviate Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Male Prisoners

The goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between Hare's four-facet model of psychopathy and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI–2) in a forensic, culturally homogenous sample. 22 male prisoners from Bergen Prison participated. There was only a statistically significant negative zero-order correlation between the total PCL–R score and the score on the Depression scale of the MMPI–2. However, the results revealed that the four facets had different underlying correlates with negative affectivity. Overall, Facets 1 and 2 showed a tendency toward a negative relationship with the clinical scales on the MMPI–2, while Facets 3 and 4 had a positive relationship. Interestingly, partial correlations showed that Facet 4 of PCL–R was the only facet that correlated statistically significantly with the scores on the Psychopathic Deviate scale of the MMPI–2.

scholarly journals Emotion regulation in self-reported disinhibition, boldness and meanness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickard Steijer
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽  
Picture Stimuli ◽  
Healthy Males

Introduction: In the triarchic model, psychopathy is viewed as a combination of three traits: disinhibition, boldness, and meanness; that can be assessed through the triarchic psychopathy measure (TriPM). The ability to regulate emotion has been proposed as one process that differs in people with higher psychopathic traits. Emotion regulation can be assessed trough functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during downregulation of negative emotional stimuli. It is not known how emotion regulation relates to the TriPM subscales. Aim: We aimed to assess whether activity in the dlPFC during emotion regulation correlated with the scores in the three subscales of the TriPM in healthy males. Material and methods: Inclusion criteria: Ages 18-30, Male, Psychopathy Checklist – Revised-score &lt;10. Exclusion criteria: Criminal history, standard contraindications for fMRI. Participants (n=7) performed an emotion regulation paradigm with negative picture stimuli during fMRI and filled out the TriPM. We correlated the activity in the dlPFC to scores in disinhibition, boldness, and meanness. Results: TriPM-subscale correlation to dlPFC-activity during emotion regulation was, for disinhibition: ρ=0.29, p=0.56, for meanness: ρ=0.29, p=0.59, for boldness: ρ=-0.43, p=0.35. Conclusion: We saw no significant correlation between activity in the dlPFC and TriPM-scores within normal range in any of the subscales. The relationship between emotion regulation and the subscales of the TriPM in normal subjects remains unknown. For future research on psychopathic traits in healthy males, a larger sample will be needed.

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