Author:
GÖTZ M. J.,JOHNSTONE E. C.,RATCLIFFE S. G.
Abstract
Background. Previous studies on male patients with sex chromosome abnormalities (SCA), namely
XYY and XXY, suggest that such patients commit criminal acts more frequently than expected.
Most of these studies are affected by ascertainment bias.Methods. Using a population-based sample of men with SCA, identified by screening 34380 infants
at birth between 1967 and 1979, comparison between 16 XYY men, 13 XXY men and 45 controls
were made in terms of frequency of antisocial personality disorder (APD) using the Schedule for
Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia lifetime version. Rates of criminal convictions were
examined in 17 XYY men, 17 XXY men and 60 controls.Results. XYY males showed a significantly higher frequency of antisocial behaviour in adolescence
and adulthood and of criminal convictions than the controls, but multiple regression analysis
showed this to be mediated mainly through lowered intelligence. Property offences constituted the
majority of offences in all groups. The XXY men did not show an increased rate of criminal
convictions. It is possible that this apparently negative result relates to the relatively small numbers
of cases and hence low power of this study.Conclusions. The findings of this study carry the advantage of not being affected by ascertainment
bias and the disadvantage of having low power. It provides evidence for a slightly increased liability
to antisocial behaviour in XYY men.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Applied Psychology
Cited by
68 articles.
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