RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The effect of psychopathy on outcome in high security patients
JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
SP 309
OP 314
VO 28
IS 3
A1 Reiss, D
A1 Meux, C
A1 Grubin, D
YR 2000
UL http://jaapl.org/content/28/3/309.abstract
AB The study aimed to examine the relationship between the total score on Hare's revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and aspects of outcome for a nonrandom sample (n = 89) of male mentally disordered offenders treated in an English high security hospital. The subjects were all legally classified as suffering from "psychopathic disorder" and the majority were followed-up in the community. The methodology was retrospective, using existing case-file data, with follow-up lasting until discharge from statutory supervision. PCL-R scores were dichotomized and related to various outcome factors, including recidivism and aspects of social behavior. The results showed, in contrast to previous North American research, that the PCL-R did not predict any of the outcome factors. Because the PCL-R was able to identify psychopaths in this population but failed to predict their prognosis, it is possible that their outcome may have been improved by the treatment they received in hospital.