Mindfulness moderates the relationship between aggression and Antisocial Personality Disorder traits: Preliminary investigation with an offender sample.
BACKGROUND
Poor mentalizing has been described as a characteristic of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), along with the well-established role of aggressiveness. In the current study, we tested this hypothesis focusing on a specific aspect of mentalization (i.e., mindfulness).


METHODS
We explored the unique and joint contribution of aggression dimensions and mindfulness facets to ASPD traits in an offender sample (N=83).


RESULTS
Mindfulness deficits were associated with ASPD traits, and a significant unique association emerged between difficulties in acting with awareness and ASPD traits. Likewise, physical aggression confirmed its association with ASPD traits. Moderation analyses revealed that mindfulness interacted with aggression in predicting ASPD. Specifically, at low levels of mindfulness, the association between aggression and ASPD dropped to nonsignificance.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that fostering self-mentalizing is a relevant treatment target when treating offenders with ASPD.
University of Genoa, Department of Educational Sciences, Corso Andrea Podestà, 2, 16126, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: patrizia.velotti@unige.it.
Patrizia
P
Velotti
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy; Tilburg University, Department of Developmental Psychology, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands. Electronic address: cgarofalo24@gmail.com.
Carlo
C
Garofalo
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mario.daguanno@gmail.com.
Mario
M
D'Aguanno
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: chiarapetrocchi@gmail.com.
Chiara
C
Petrocchi
Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: popoloraffaele@gmail.com.
Raffaele
R
Popolo
Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: centrotmi@centrotmi.com.
Giampaolo
G
Salvatore
Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: gdimaje@libero.it.
Giancarlo
G
Dimaggio
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind