Antisocial Personality, Psychopathy, and Violence in Persons with Dual Disorders

Abstract

Few studies have explored correlates of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy among individuals with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder. This study examined the reliability and validity of measures of ASPD and psychopathy among 203 clients with dual disorders and their prospective relationship to criminality and violence over 3 years. Except for the interpersonal/affective factor, the total Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-II) and antisocial lifestyle factor displayed good reliability and convergent validity with other measures of antisociality. SRP-II scores had limited associations with criminality and violence, whereas ASPD, thought disturbance, negative affect, and earlier age at psychiatric hospitalization were predictive of aggressive behavior. Further research on community violence should examine other measures of psychopathy as well as ASPD and symptoms.