Antisocial personality, substance abuse, and exposure to parental violence in males referred for domestic violence.
This study investigated whether childhood disruptive behavior (hyperactivity, oppositional-defiance, conduct problems) plus adult psychopathic adjustment are associated with domestic violence. Adult males (n = 66) in diversion programs completed the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), MMPI Psychopathic Deviate scale (PD), Conflict Tactics Scales representing themselves and their parents, and substance use measures. Substance use and lifespan antisocial personality (measured by high WURS and PD scores) were robust predictors of verbal and moderate physical domestic abuse. Violence in the family of origin was associated with abuse when tested alone, but failed to exhibit unique association with abuse when other predictors were taken into account. The possibility that antisocial batterers respond to contingencies by moderating physical harm, while persisting at psychological harm, is discussed.
McBurnett
K
K
University of Chicago, USA.
Kerckhoff
C
C
Capasso
L
L
Pfiffner
L J
LJ
Rathouz
P J
PJ
McCord
M
M
Harris
S M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*