title: Impulsive versus premeditated aggression in the prediction of violent criminal recidivism.
abstract: Past aggression is a potent predictor of future aggression and informs the prediction of violent criminal recidivism. However, aggression is a heterogeneous construct and different types of aggression may confer different levels of risk for future violence. In this prospective study of 91 adults in a pretrial diversion program, we examined (a) premeditated versus impulsive aggression in the prediction of violent recidivism during a one-year follow-up period, and (b) whether either type of aggression would have incremental validity in the prediction of violent recidivism after taking into account frequency of past general aggression. Findings indicate that premeditated, but not impulsive, aggression predicts violent recidivism. Moreover, premeditated aggression remained a predictor of recidivism even with general aggression frequency in the model. Results provide preliminary evidence that the assessment of premeditated aggression provides relevant information for the management of violent offenders.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Marc T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Swogger
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Zach
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.affiliation: Mt. Hope Family Center, Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Brittany M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Priddy
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.|VA VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Rochester, New York.
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Conner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: impulsive aggression; instrumental aggression; proactive aggression; reactive aggression; violence