Male Inmate Profiles and Their Biological Correlates

Abstract

Objective:Borderline and antisocial personality disorders (PDs) share common clinical features (impulsivity, aggressiveness, substance use disorders [SUDs], and suicidal behaviours) that are greatly overrepresented in prison populations. These disorders have been associated biologically with testosterone and cortisol levels. However, the associations are ambiguous and the subject of controversy, perhaps because these heterogeneous disorders have been addressed as unitary constructs. A consideration of profiles of people, rather than of exclusive diagnoses, might yield clearer relationships.Methods:In our study, multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis were employed to identify subgroups among 545 newly convicted inmates. The groups were then compared in terms of clinical features and biological markers, including levels of cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and sulfoconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S).Results:Four clusters with differing psychiatric, criminal, and biological profiles emerged. Clinically, one group had intermediate scores for each of the tested clinical features. Another group comprised people with little comorbidity. Two others displayed severe impulsivity, PD, and SUD. Biologically, cortisol levels were lowest in the last 2 groups and highest in the group with less comorbidity. In keeping with previous findings reported in the literature, testosterone was higher in a younger population with severe psychiatric symptoms. However, some apparently comparable behavioural outcomes were found to be related to distinct biological profiles. No differences were observed for estradiol, progesterone, or DHEA-S levels.Conclusions:The results not only confirm the importance of biological markers in the study of personality features but also demonstrate the need to consider the role of comorbidities and steroid coregulation.

Trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms associate with violence in inner city civilians

“…Participants may have had pre-existing traits that predisposed them to both aggression and traumatic experiences. For instance, antisocial personality traits include both impulsivity and aggressiveness (Horn et al, 2014). However, these personality traits were not quantified in our data.…”

Borderline personality disorder: Prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity among male offenders on probation in Sweden

“…This is an important finding as this comorbidity is associated to several serious and problematic outcomes, including reoffending and suicide [30,32]. Offenders with BPD and co-morbid ASPD may have common biological risk factors [29], as well as similar developmental trajectories [27,28]. These offenders have difficulties regulating emotions and behavior and are likely to require additional efforts from probation officers, making identification and management of offenders with this comorbidity essential.…”

“…It has recently been suggested that comorbid BPD and ASPD may represent a distinct syndrome. This pattern of comorbidity is associated with severe conduct disorder in childhood [27,28] and may share biological risk factors such as high testosterone/ cortisol ratio [29]. Indeed, compared with either BPD or ASPD alone, comorbid BPD and ASPD has been associated with increased suicide risk [30], violence and criminal behavior in community residents [27,31] as well as re-offending in forensic populations [32].…”

Discovery of biochemical biomarkers for aggression: A role for metabolomics in psychiatry

“…Investigations into neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying aggressive behavior have focused mainly on gonadal sex steroid hormones (e.g., testosterone, which is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis [HPG]). As can be seen in Table , increased levels of the HPG hormone testosterone are observed in aggressive adolescents [Yu and Shi, ] and adult males convicted for crimes [Horn et al, ]. In contrast, a decreased free testosterone index has been associated with CD in girls [Table ; Pajer et al, ].…”