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Sexual abusive behaviour no clear predictor of social psychopathy
- Vibha Pandey, Sahoo Saddichha (31 May 2007)
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Vibha Pandey, Psychiatric Social Worker Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India, Sahoo Saddichha
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call2vibha{at}gmail.com Vibha Pandey, et al.
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We read the recent study by Vizard et al (2007), which concluded that distinct developmental trajectories, defined by early sexual offences among juveniles, might play a key role in defining future personality disorders. Existing literature supports these findings (Berliner & Elliot, 1996; Kendall-Tackett, Williams & Finklehor, 1993; Browne & Finklehor, 1986) with the traumagenic dynamics theory formulated by Browne & Finklehor’s (1986) postulating that childhood sexual abuse leading to “betrayal” and “powerlessness” ultimately makes the child a perpetrator (sexual abuser). However we are unable to understand the basis of definition of “sexual offence” used in this study and the reasons for absence of any objective clinical rating scales. In fact, the only rating scale used, the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL–YV) is limited by lack of divergent construct validity (Skeem & Cauffman, 2003) indicating that adult models of psychopathy cannot simply be extended downwards to youth. Further, the method of indirect retrospective scoring on PCL-YV rather than by direct interview, limits the accuracy of the results. Another important point is the confounding effect of various other factors with personality. Features like sensation seeking, irresponsibility etc., which define adult antisocial behaviour, are normative and temporary characteristics of adolescence (Forth & Burke, 1998; Edens et al., 2001). In fact, early onset conduct disorder & frequent antisocial behavior may not necessarily be specific to social psychopathy and are seen with other disorders like ADHD or Impulse control disorders (APA, 1994). We therefore believe that more fundamentally, this study fails to resolve key questions about juvenile psychopathy. REFERENCES 1.Vizard, E., Hickey, N. & McCrory, E.M. (2007) Developmental trajectories associated with juvenile associated with sexually abusive behaviour and emerging severe personality disorder in childhood: 3-year study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 190 (S49), 27-32. 2.Berliner, L. and Elliot, D. (1996) Sexual abuse of children. In The APSAC Handbook on child maltreatment (eds. J. Briere, L. Berliner, J. Bulkley, C. Jenny and T. Reid), pp. 51-71. Thousands Oaks California: Sage Publications. 3.Browne, A., and Finklehor, D. (1986) The impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99, 66-77. 4.Kendall-Tackett, K., Williams, L & Finklehor, D. (1993). Impact of sexual abuse on children, Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164-180. 5.Skeem, J. L. & Cauffman, E. (2003) Views of the Downward Extension: Comparing the Youth Version of the Psychopathy Checklist with the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 21, 737–770. 6.Forth, A. E., & Burke, H. C. (1998). Psychopathy in adolescence: Assessment, violence, and developmental precursors. In Psychopathy: Theory, research, and implications for society (eds. D. Cooke, A. Forth, & R. Hare), pp. 205–230. Dordrecht: Kluwer Publications. 7.Edens, J. F., Skeem, J. L., Cruise, K. R., & Cauffman, E. (2001). Assessment of ‘‘juvenile psychopathy’’ and its association with violence. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 19, 53–80. 8.American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) Text Revision (DSM IV TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association |
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