Psychopathy personality in a sample of young Brazilian offenders

Authors

  • Ricardo Schmitt Universidade Comunitária Regional de Chapecó; Centro de Ciências da Saúde
  • Thais P. Pinto Universidade Comunitária Regional de Chapecó
  • Karin M. Gomes Universidade de Extremo Sul Catarinense; Laboratório de Neurociências; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde
  • João Quevedo Universidade de Extremo Sul Catarinense; Laboratório de Neurociências; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde
  • Airton Stein Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre; Departamento de Saúde Coletiva

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832006000600002

Keywords:

Adolescent, crime, psychopathy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidences point out that the young offenders involved with major crimes (such as homicide, rape and violent robbery) have psychopathic personality, with greater risk of recidivism but do not have a higher prevalence of childhood abuse history compared to other young delinquents. OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychopathy, criminal recidivism. However, incidence of childhood abuse is similar to other young delinquents groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, controlled, using the Hare's Psychopathy Checklist Revised Scale (PCL-R) to evaluate psychopathy traits among adolescents sentenced by the Brazilian Law. RESULTS: Severe young offenders had a high prevalence of psychopathy; PR = 2,86 (CI95% 1,49-5,47) as compared to the control group. The criminal recidivism was more prevalent among the adolescents with severe crime records and psychopathy; PR = 2,96 (CI95% 1,32-6,60). The study did not show a significant prevalence of childhood abuse history in the psychopathy young as compared to other adolescent offenders; PR = 0,88 (CI95% 0,66-1,15). CONCLUSION: The results suggest a higher prevalence of psychopathic and criminal recidivism among severe adolescent offenders compared to other young delinquents.

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Published

2006-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Psychopathy personality in a sample of young Brazilian offenders . (2006). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 33(6), 297-303. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832006000600002