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Vaskinn A, Rokicki J, Bell C, Tesli N, Bang N, Hjell G, Fischer-Vieler T, Haukvik UK, Friestad C. Violent Offending in Males With or Without Schizophrenia: A Role for Social Cognition? Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:663-672. [PMID: 37861424 PMCID: PMC11059786 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Reduced social cognition has been reported in individuals who have committed interpersonal violence. It is unclear if individuals with schizophrenia and a history of violence have larger impairments than violent individuals without psychosis and non-violent individuals with schizophrenia. We examined social cognition in two groups with violent offenses, comparing their performance to non-violent individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN Two social cognitive domains were assessed in four groups: men with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder with (SSD-V, n = 27) or without (SSD-NV, n = 42) a history of violence, incarcerated men serving preventive detention sentences (V, n = 22), and healthy male controls (HC, n = 76). Theory of mind (ToM) was measured with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), body emotion perception with Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio) test. STUDY RESULTS Kruskal-Wallis H-tests revealed overall group differences for social cognition. SSD-V had a global and clinically significant social cognitive impairment. V had a specific impairment, for ToM. Binary logistic regressions predicting violence category membership from social cognition and psychosis (SSD status) were conducted. The model with best fit, explaining 18%-25% of the variance, had ToM as the only predictor. CONCLUSIONS Social cognitive impairment was present in individuals with a history of violence, with larger and more widespread impairment seen in schizophrenia. ToM predicted violence category membership, psychosis did not. The results suggest a role for social cognition in understanding interpersonal violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Vaskinn
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jaroslav Rokicki
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Psychosis Research Section, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christina Bell
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Acute Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Natalia Tesli
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Psychosis Research Section, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Bang
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gabriela Hjell
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry, Østfold Hospital, Grålum, Norway
- Department of Clinical Research, Østfold Hospital, Grålum, Norway
| | - Thomas Fischer-Vieler
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Unn K Haukvik
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Friestad
- Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- University College of Norwegian Correctional Services, Lillestrøm, Norway
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Yirmiya K, Constantinou M, Simes E, Bateman A, Wason J, Yakeley J, McMurran M, Crawford M, Frater A, Moran P, Barrett B, Cameron A, Hoare Z, Allison E, Pilling S, Butler S, Fonagy P. The mediating role of reflective functioning and general psychopathology in the relationship between childhood conduct disorder and adult aggression among offenders. Psychol Med 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38563288 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172400062x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nature of the pathway from conduct disorder (CD) in adolescence to antisocial behavior in adulthood has been debated and the role of certain mediators remains unclear. One perspective is that CD forms part of a general psychopathology dimension, playing a central role in the developmental trajectory. Impairment in reflective functioning (RF), i.e., the capacity to understand one's own and others' mental states, may relate to CD, psychopathology, and aggression. Here, we characterized the structure of psychopathology in adult male-offenders and its role, along with RF, in mediating the relationship between CD in their adolescence and current aggression. METHODS A secondary analysis of pre-treatment data from 313 probation-supervised offenders was conducted, and measures of CD symptoms, general and specific psychopathology factors, RF, and aggression were evaluated through clinical interviews and questionnaires. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a bifactor model best fitted the sample's psychopathology structure, including a general psychopathology factor (p factor) and five specific factors: internalizing, disinhibition, detachment, antagonism, and psychoticism. The structure of RF was fitted to the data using a one-factor model. According to our mediation model, CD significantly predicted the p factor, which was positively linked to RF impairments, resulting in increased aggression. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the critical role of a transdiagnostic approach provided by RF and general psychopathology in explaining the link between CD and aggression. Furthermore, they underscore the potential utility of treatments focusing on RF, such as mentalization-based treatment, in mitigating aggression in offenders with diverse psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Yirmiya
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Matthew Constantinou
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Simes
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Anthony Bateman
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - James Wason
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jessica Yakeley
- Portman Clinic, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary McMurran
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mike Crawford
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Alison Frater
- School of Law, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Paul Moran
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences Department, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Barbara Barrett
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Angus Cameron
- National Probation Service London Division, London, UK
| | - Zoe Hoare
- NWORTH Clinical Trials Unit, School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allison
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Stephen Pilling
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen Butler
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, UK
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Hutten JC, van Horn JE, Hoppenbrouwers SS, Ziermans TB, Geurts HM. Neuropsychological assessment of aggressive offenders: a Delphi consensus study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1328839. [PMID: 38464622 PMCID: PMC10922935 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1328839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study explores the intricate relationship between cognitive functioning and aggression, with a specific focus on individuals prone to reactive or proactive aggression. The purpose of the study was to identify important neuropsychological constructs and suitable tests for comprehending and addressing aggression. Methods An international panel of 32 forensic neuropsychology experts participated in this three-round Delphi study consisting of iterative online questionnaires. The experts rated the importance of constructs based on the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework. Subsequently, they suggested tests that can be used to assess these constructs and rated their suitability. Results The panel identified the RDoC domains Negative Valence Systems, Social Processes, Cognitive Systems and Positive Valence Systems as most important in understanding aggression. Notably, the results underscore the significance of Positive Valence Systems in proactive aggression and Negative Valence Systems in reactive aggression. The panel suggested a diverse array of 223 different tests, although they noted that not every RDoC construct can be effectively measured through a neuropsychological test. The added value of a multimodal assessment strategy is discussed. Conclusions This research advances our understanding of the RDoC constructs related to aggression and provides valuable insights for assessment strategies. Rather than suggesting a fixed set of tests, our study takes a flexible approach by presenting a top-3 list for each construct. This approach allows for tailored assessment to meet specific clinical or research needs. An important limitation is the predominantly Dutch composition of the expert panel, despite extensive efforts to diversify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette C. Hutten
- De Waag (Outpatient Forensic Mental Health Clinic), Forensic Care Specialists, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joan E. van Horn
- De Waag (Outpatient Forensic Mental Health Clinic), Forensic Care Specialists, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sylco S. Hoppenbrouwers
- De Waag (Outpatient Forensic Mental Health Clinic), Forensic Care Specialists, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tim B. Ziermans
- Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hilde M. Geurts
- Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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İmrek Y, Öztürk Y, Balta Kesikbaş B, Taşkan M, Göl Özcan G, Tufan AE. Emotion Regulation, Theory of Mind, and Attachment to Parents and Peers Among Turkish Adolescent Offenders and Victims: A Single-Center, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2023; 33:316-325. [PMID: 38765846 PMCID: PMC11037471 DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2023.22601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There may be many risk factors for both youth offending and victimization. In our study, we aimed to compare youth offenders and victims in terms of attachment characteristics, emotion regulation, and mind-reading skills. Methods This study employed a single-center, cross-sectional, case-control design. Kiddie and Young Adult Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version along with diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, were administered by clinicians. Mind-reading skills were assessed with Reading the Mind in the Eyes task (RMET) and Faces test. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment-Short Form (IPPA-SF) were used for assessing attachment and emotion regulation properties. Results : When we compared the two groups in terms of IPPA-SF, DERS, RMET and Faces test, we found that victimized and offending youth did not differ significantly in terms of attachment to peers and communication/trust domains of parental attachment. Youth offenders and victims differed significantly in terms of DERS- Non-acceptance and Goals both (P = .031 and .045; respectively). Offending youth scored significantly higher in Non-acceptance, while victimized youth scored significantly higher in Goals. Conclusion : Offending youth were more alienated from their parents, were experiencing problems with emotional acceptance, and had lower theory of mind and emotion recognition skills compared to victimized youth. Therefore, protective interventions supporting parent-adolescent communication/attachment, as well as emotion recognition/regulation and theory of mind skills of youth, may protect children from both victimization and delinquency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin İmrek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mersin Toros State Hospital, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Öztürk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Büşra Balta Kesikbaş
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Eskişehir Yunus Emre State Hospital, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Merve Taşkan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Güler Göl Özcan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bilecik State Hospital, Bilecik, Turkey
| | - Ali Evren Tufan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Medical School, Bolu, Turkey
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Brewer N, Lucas CA, Lim A, Young RL. Detecting dodgy behaviour: The role of autism, autistic traits and theory of mind. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 27:1026-1035. [PMID: 36217913 PMCID: PMC10115935 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221125564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Difficulties in reading others' minds make it difficult to anticipate their future behaviour. It has often been argued that such difficulties contribute to autistic individuals becoming enmeshed in criminal activity. However, supportive scientific evidence is virtually non-existent. We compared the ability of groups of autistic and non-autistic adults of similar intellectual ability to detect dodgy or suspicious behaviour across a wide range of scenarios. Although the autistic group performed more poorly than the non-autistic group on an established measure of mindreading, there were no group differences in the ability to detect dodginess. Nor did we find any evidence that detecting dodgy behaviour was associated with the degree of autistic traits reported by individual participants. However, when we combined the two groups, difficulty reading the minds of others was indeed associated with poorer detection of dodginess, thus highlighting a characteristic of individuals that may well increase the likelihood of becoming involved in crime or exploited for autistic and non-autistic individuals alike.
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