Victimization and psychopathic features in a population-based sample of Finnish adolescents.
We examined different forms of victimization experiences in relation to psychopathic features and whether these associations differed in boys and girls among 4855 Finnish school adolescents aged 15-16 years. Psychopathic features were measured with the Antisocial Process Screening Device- Self Report (APSD-SR). Victimization was assessed with questions about violent and abusive experiences across lifetime and within the last 12 months. Results from linear regression analysis showed that victimization was significantly associated with higher APSD-SR total scores, more strongly in girls than boys. Recent (12-month) victimization showed significance in the relationship between victimization and psychopathic features; especially recent sexual abuse and parental corporal punishment were strong determinants of higher APSD-SR total scores. The present study demonstrates novel findings on how severe victimization experiences relate to psychopathic features in community youth, especially in girls. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive evaluation of victimization experiences when psychopathic features are present in youth.
University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Children's Hospital, Child Psychiatry, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: suvi.saukkonen@helsinki.fi.
Suvi
S
Saukkonen
University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Children's Hospital, Child Psychiatry, Helsinki, Finland.
Eeva T
ET
Aronen
Forensic Psychology Center for Children and Adolescents, Children's Hospital, Child Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Taina
T
Laajasalo
Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy, Criminological Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Venla
V
Salmi
Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy, Criminological Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Janne
J
Kivivuori
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Markus
M
Jokela
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000374:Aggression; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder; D058445:Bullying; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D014754:Violence
Adolescence; Psychopathic features; Victimization