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Juvenile Psychopathy: Instrumental versus Reactive Aggression in Male and Female Juvenile Offenders

Tecce, Marielena P.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1396876090

Abstract Details

2014, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology.
Over the past decade, the profusion of literature examining the downward extension of psychopathy to juvenile populations has been met with much debate and controversy. The focus remains on the accuracy of assessment and the negative effects from the premature application of labeling a juvenile a psychopath. The current study investigated the relationship between psychopathy and aggression by exploring the relationship between types of aggression (instrumental and reactive) and psychopathic traits in juvenile offenders. This study examined archived file information for male and female (N = 134) juvenile offenders (ages 13-17) referred for diagnostic and psychological evaluation services by the department of juvenile probation. A mixed gender sample was utilized to explore gender differences in the manifestation of psychopathy and aggression. Based on Cornell et al's (1996) aggression coding system, this study identified three groups: (a) instrumental offenders (IO), (b) reactive offenders (RO) and (c) combined offenders (CO; both instrumental and reactive aggression). These groups were compared on psychopathic traits utilizing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A; Butcher et al., 1992) scale 4, Psychopathic deviate (Pd) as a measure of psychopathic traits. Consistent with previous research on adult populations, results support the predictive utility of instrumental aggression in assessing psychopathic traits in juvenile offenders. Gender differences revealed that female offenders demonstrate higher rates of psychopathic traits regardless of aggression group.
Roger L. Peterson, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair)
Lorraine Mangione, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Janay Sander, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
108 p.
Clinical Psychology
instrumental aggression, reactive aggression, psychopathy, juveniles

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tecce, M. P. (2014). Juvenile Psychopathy: Instrumental versus Reactive Aggression in Male and Female Juvenile Offenders [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1396876090

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tecce, Marielena. Juvenile Psychopathy: Instrumental versus Reactive Aggression in Male and Female Juvenile Offenders . 2014. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1396876090.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tecce, Marielena. "Juvenile Psychopathy: Instrumental versus Reactive Aggression in Male and Female Juvenile Offenders ." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1396876090

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1396876090
610
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.