Psychopathy and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Several studies found that psychopathy is an important predictor of criminal behavior in general and of intimate partner violence in particular. However, these conclusions are often based on scales with less well-established validity, and some inconsistent results have emerged with regard to the contribution of specific psychopathic facets to intimate partner violence. In a sample of 152 batterers from Portugal aged between 22 and 70 years old, we examined whether Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) total scores and the four facets (scored based on a semistructured interview and on file information) predicted the frequency of intimate partner violence. Two separate linear regression analyses were conducted controlling for criminal variables. PCL-R total scores positively predicted intimate partner violence frequency, above and beyond the criminal variables. As for the four facets, only the PCL-R affective facet held a significant effect in predicting intimate partner violence frequency after controlling for criminal variables. These results support the inclusion of psychopathy in risk assessments and treatment of perpetrators of intimate partner violence, particularly with regard to the affective deficits of the construct.

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) Factor Structure in Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

“…These results may be linking to primary and secondary typology of psychopaths and supports that secondary psychopaths are more disturbed (e.g., Lykken, 1995;Morrison & Gilbert, 2001). At last, Factor 2 (deficient affective experience) showed larger correlations with the frequency of intimate violence, which is consistent with previous research and supports the role of deficient affective experiences in IPV perpetration (e.g., Cunha et al, 2018;Swogger et al, 2007). All together, these results show that the threefactors of the PCL-R have discriminant validity among IPV perpetrators.…”

“…Eliminating items with lower factor weights did not lead to a satisfactory composite reliability (analyses not presented but provided by request). The lower reliability value for Factor 3 (impulsive and irresponsible behavioral style) may be explained by the lower scores achieved by IPV perpetrators on this factor (M = 2.13; SD = 1.79) as found in previous studies (Cunha et al, 2018). As for the average inter-item correlation analysis, all factors presented values indicating acceptable reliability (>.15), though Factor 2 (deficient affective experience) presented high values (>.50), which may suggest some correlational overlap of items within this factor (Clark & Watson, 1995).…”

“…This is important for many reasons. First, psychopathy has been identified as a significant predictor of IPV perpetration (e.g., Cunha et al, 2018;Swogger et al, 2007) and literature has suggested, in front of psychopathic traits, the root of behavioral and psychological maladjustment is the psychopathy disorder, thus, the focus of the treatment should be psychopathy rather than IPV (e.g., Spidel et al, 2007). Accordingly, the adequate assessment of psychopathy in IPV perpetrators will allow more accurate risk predictions and more effective risk management for these offenders.…”

“…PCL-R has also been used to assess IPV perpetrators (e.g., Cunha, Braga, & Gonçalves, 2018;Cunha & Gonçalves, 2016;Harris, Hilton, & Rice, 2011;Hilton, Harris, Rice, Houghton, & Eke, 2008;Swogger, Walsh, & Kosson, 2007). Psychopathy has emerged as a significant predictor of IPV perpetration beyond criminal variables (e.g., Cunha et al, 2018;Swogger et al, 2007). Research also indicated that men with psychopathic and antisocial traits commit a disproportional amount of IPV (Swogger et al, 2007) being 1.6 times more likely to commit IPV compared to other non-psychopathic offenders (Hervé, Vincent, Kropp, & Hare, 2001).…”

“…A study conducted by Hall, Benning, and Patrick (2004), testing the three-factor model, revealed that the interpersonal factor is related to social dominance, low stress reactivity and higher adaptative functioning, the affective factor is associated with low social closeness and violent offending, and the behavioral factor is related with negative emotionality, disinhibition, reactive aggression and poor adaptative functioning. Other studies have highlighted the importance of psychopathy's affective factor in predicting specific types of violence, namely IPV (e.g., Cunha et al, 2018;Swogger et al, 2007).…”