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The Maltreatment–Aggression Link among Prosecuted Males: What about Psychopathy?

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  • Laura Woehrle

    (Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Kirrberger Str., 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany)

  • Petra Retz-Junginger

    (Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Kirrberger Str., 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany)

  • Wolfgang Retz

    (Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Kirrberger Str., 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany
    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55131 Mainz, Germany)

  • Steffen Barra

    (Institute for Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Kirrberger Str., 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany)

Abstract

Criminal offenders constitute a high-risk sample regarding experiences of childhood maltreatment and engagement in severe aggression. Moreover, psychopathic traits are more common in samples of offenders than non-offenders. Although research has underlined the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult aggression, the influence of psychopathy on this link is still unclear. We examined the dynamics of maltreatment, aggression, and psychopathy in a mixed sample of 239 male violent, sexual, and other offenders using latent factor structural equation modeling. We found a consistent positive association of maltreatment with aggression. Psychopathy did not mediate this relation. Maltreatment was not associated with psychopathy, although psychopathy had a positive effect on aggressive behavior. These dynamics appeared similar for violent, sexual, and other offenders. However, latent variables were constructed somewhat differently depending on the offender status. For instance, sexual abuse appeared to be of specific importance in sexual offenders. Violent offenders showed high rates of psychopathy compared to sexual and other offenders. The current findings may inspire future research to focus more closely on the different subtypes of psychopathy when examining its role in the prediction of aggression based on childhood maltreatment. Moreover, childhood maltreatment must not be neglected in treatment and prevention approaches aimed at reducing the risk of aggressive behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Woehrle & Petra Retz-Junginger & Wolfgang Retz & Steffen Barra, 2022. "The Maltreatment–Aggression Link among Prosecuted Males: What about Psychopathy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9584-:d:880035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steffen Barra & Marcel Aebi & Delfine d’Huart & Klaus Schmeck & Marc Schmid & Cyril Boonmann, 2022. "Adverse Childhood Experiences, Personality, and Crime: Distinct Associations among a High-Risk Sample of Institutionalized Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vera Maria Wente & Petra Retz-Junginger & Anselm Crombach & Wolfgang Retz & Steffen Barra, 2023. "The Suitability of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in Criminal Offender Samples," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-18, March.

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