Correlates of psychopathy in a Tunisian sample of incarcerated women

Morality, self-control, age, type of offence and sentence length as predictors of psychopathy amongst female incarcerated offenders in South Africa

“…In practical terms, these findings suggest that as female incarcerated offenders’ temper, impulsivity, preference for simple tasks, recklessness and egocentricity increase, their affective and interpersonal psychopathic traits increase. These findings are congruous with researchers’ postulations that impulsivity is a significant contributor to individuals’ psychopathic traits and antisocial behaviours [ 9 , 109 , 116 , 117 ]. These findings are further supported by literature, where impulsivity has been found to be associated with the socially deviant features of psychopathy in offenders [ 118 ], more specifically with poor impulse control of one’s executive function measures [ 119 , 120 ], thrill and experience seeking traits, and disinhibition [ 121 ], characteristics typically ascribed to the secondary dimension of psychopathy.…”

“…A study by Fekih-Romdhane et al [ 9 ] supports the finding of a significant positive relationship between Impulsivity and Secondary Psychopathy. This relationship can be explained by the finding that impulsivity is often considered a cardinal feature, particularly associated with the behavioural facets of psychopathy [ 56 ].…”

“…Worldwide, psychopathy rates among incarcerated female offenders range from 9 to 15.5%, contrasting with approximately 31% in males [ 9 , 12 – 14 ]. Notably, psychopathic personality traits in women are identified as potential risk factors for antisocial behaviours and future incarceration [ 9 , 15 ]. These findings purport the need to understand factors influencing psychopathic personality traits in adult females, holding significant clinical relevance for female offenders [ 16 ].…”

“…Although focused predominantly on male offenders, research underscores the relationship between personality disorders, particularly psychopathy, and offending behaviour [8][9][10][11]. Worldwide, psychopathy rates among incarcerated female offenders range from 9 to 15.5%, contrasting with approximately 31% in males [9,[12][13][14].…”

“…Although focused predominantly on male offenders, research underscores the relationship between personality disorders, particularly psychopathy, and offending behaviour [8][9][10][11]. Worldwide, psychopathy rates among incarcerated female offenders range from 9 to 15.5%, contrasting with approximately 31% in males [9,[12][13][14]. Notably, psychopathic personality traits in women are identified as potential risk factors for antisocial behaviours and future incarceration [9,15].…”