O viés da aquiescência e a estrutura fatorial do Dirty Dozen e do Short Dark Triad / Acquiescence bias and the factor structure of the Dirty Dozen and the Short Dark Triad / El sesgo de la aquiescencia y la estructura factual del Dirty Dozen y del Short Dark Triad

A tríade sombria ­ maquiavelismo, narcisismo e psicopatia ­ tem sido tradicionalmente avaliada via inventários de autorrelato. Entretanto, instrumentos de autorrelato podem estar suscetíveis à aquiescência ou tendência a concordar com itens mesmo quando possuem conteúdo antagônico. O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a dimensionalidade de dois populares instrumentos de autorrelato da tríade, o Dirty Dozen e o Short Dark Triad, verificando a interferência do viés da aquiescência na estrutura fatorial de cada medida. Participaram do estudo 449 universitários (média de idades= 23,47; DP = 6,76; 64% mulheres). O controle da aquiescência produziu soluções fatoriais mais interpretáveis do que a tradicional modelagem bi-factor, amplamente utilizada na área. Os achados também revelam fragilidades na composição teórica de ambos os instrumentos. Argumenta-se que a economia das medidas breves da "tríade sombria" não deve vir desencontrada de uma estrutura fatorial que reflita o conhecimento atual sobre a multidimensionalidade desses traços

The Dark Triad ­ Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy ­ has been traditionally assessed via self-report inventories. Self-report instruments might be susceptible to acquiescent responding or the tendency to manifest agreement with items even when they are semantically opposed. We investigated the dimensionality of two popular self-report instruments of the Dark Triad, the Dirty Dozen and the Short Dark Triad, and inspected the interference of the acquiescence bias in the factor structure of each measure. Participants were 449 students (mean age of 23.47 years; SD = 6.76; 64% females. Controlling for acquiescence produced factor solutions that were more theoretically interpretable than the standard bi-factor modeling, largely used in the field. Findings also raise questions about the theoretical underpinnings of both instruments. We argue that, despite valuable, brief measures of the Dark Triad traits should not come at the expense of a structure adequately reflecting the current knowledge about the multidimensionality of these traits

La Tríada Oscura (maquiavelismo, narcisismo y psicopatía) se ha evaluado a través de inventarios de autoinformes. El instrumento de autoinforme puede ser susceptible de responder o de la tendencia a manifestar acuerdo con los elementos, incluso cuando se oponen semánticamente.Investigamos la dimensionalidad de dos instrumentos populares de autoinforme de la Tríada, Dirty Dozen y Short Dark Triad, e inspeccionamos la interferencia del sesgo de aquiescencia en la estructura de factores de cada medida. Los participantes fueron 449 estudiantes (edad promedio de 23.47 años; SD = 6.76; 64% mujeres. El control de la aquiescencia produjo soluciones factoriales que eran teóricamente más fáciles de interpretar que el modelo bifactor estándar, ampliamente utilizado en el campo. Los hallazgos también plantean preguntas sobre los fundamentos teóricos de ambos instrumentos. Los rasgos de la Tríada, no deben realizarse a expensas de una estructura que refleje adecuadamente el conocimiento actual sobre la multidimensionalidad de estos rasgos

Structural equation modeling of psychopathic traits in Chilean female offenders using the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form (SRP-SF) Scale: a comparison of gender-based item modifications versus standard items

Objective: To examine the utility of the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form (SRP-SF) to assess psychopathic traits in female offenders and to test gender-based item modifications. Method: A South American sample of female offenders (n=210) was assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R); 110 subjects also completed the standard SRP-SF, while 109 completed a version with items rewritten to be more relevant for females. The underlying latent structure of the PCL-R and both versions of the SRP-SF were examined. Results: Most of the modified items showed higher average item responses. The PCL-R showed a stronger association with the modified SRP-SF than with the standard SRP-SF. The four-factor model showed very good fit in accounting for the PCL-R data, consistent with previous research. For both SRP-SF versions, the results indicated good model fit. Structural equation models were tested separately, in which a superordinate SRP-SF factor was set to predict a broad factor reflecting chronic misconduct. Both versions showed good model fit, and the SRP-SF superordinate factor significantly predicted a chronic misconduct factor. Conclusions: Both versions of the SRP-SF adequately reflected psychopathic features in this female sample; the modified items added robustness to representation of these features.

Escala de condutas antissociais e delitivas: estrutura fatorial da versão portuguesa / Scale of antisocial and criminal conducts: factorial structure of the portuguese version

ResumoA Escala de Condutas Antissociais e Delitivas tem vindo a ser usada em vários países como uma medida comportamental do desvio juvenil, evidenciando resultados muito consistentes. Este artigo apresenta e discute a análise da validade empírica da estrutura fatorial da sua versão Portuguesa. A amostra foi constituída por 443 estudantes, 305 do sexo feminino e 138 do sexo masculino, com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 23 anos de idade (M = 14,8; DP = 1,90; Mo = 20), maioritariamente de nacionalidade portuguesa (92,1%). Em 60,6% dos casos os/as estudantes frequentavam a universidade. Os resultados sugerem a adequação psicométrica do instrumento, corroborando a estrutura bifatorial proposta em estudos prévios. São discutidas as potencialidades da utilização do instrumento em Portugal (AU).

AbstractThe Scale of Antisocial and Criminal Conducts has been used in several countries as a behavioral measure, showing very consistent results. This paper presents and discusses the analysis of the empirical validity of the factorial structure of its Portuguese version. The sample was comprised of 443 students, 305 female and 138 male, aged between 15 and 23 years (M = 14.8; SD = 1.90; Mo = 20), mostly Portuguese (92%), and 60.6% were college students. Results suggest the psychometric adequacy of instrument, confirming the bi-factorial structure proposed in previous studies. Advantages of its use with the Portuguese population are discussed (AU).

The construct of psychopathy in a Chilean prison population

Objective:To test the four-factor model of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R) empirical construct of psychopathy in a Chilean prison population by using instruments that supply different types of data.Methods:Two hundred and nine male inmates of the Prison of Los Andes, Chile, were evaluated. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out with the PCL-R and the Self-Report of Psychopathy - III - Short Form (SRP-III-SF).Results:The distributions of total PCL-R and SRP-III-SF scores were normal (Kolmorogov-Smirnov [K-S] = 1.04, p = 0.230; K-S = 0.812, p = 0.525, respectively), with means of 20.9±6.8 for the former and 61.6±15.2 for the latter. Model fit was good for the PCL-R (Tucker Lewis index [TLI] = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.04) and for the SRP-SF (TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.04).Conclusions:The results obtained with the PCL-R and the SRP-SF showed adequate fit to the empirical four-factor model of psychopathy and support this model. As foreseeable, fit was better for the PCL-R, which combines several sources of information.

Confiabilidad de la versión chilena de la Hare PCL-R y validez convergente con otros instrumentos de evaluación de psicopatía / [Reliability of the chilean version of the Hare PCL-R and convergent validity with other assessment tools for psychopathy].

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of mental health in forensic field is relevant in order to plan interventions and diminish institutional risks. The procedure includes the evaluation of psychopathic traits, which should be assessed by reliable and valid instruments. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal congruence of the Chilean version of the PCL-R, and the convergent validity with the PCL: SV, the SRP-III-SF and the IM-P. To explore the utility of the PCL: SV as screening tool. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The population of sentenced inmates of the Jail of Los Andes, Chile, was evaluated in a cross sectional study (N=209 inmates of a universe of 235 eligible subjects). Data was obtained from different sources and the interviews were video-recorded. The PCL-R, PCL: SV, IM-P and SRP-III-SF were used. RESULTS: Cronbach Alpha for the PCL-R total score was 0.97. The correlation of the total PCL-R score with the PCL: SV was 0.87; 0.37 with the SRP-III-SF and 0.75 with the IM-P. Sensibility of the PCL: SV was 1 and specificity 0.90 thus concluding that it is an excellent screening test.

Oxitocina-vasopresina: el futuro en tratamientos / Oxytocin-Vasopressin: the Future of Treatments

Las acciones de la oxitocina contemplan aspectos que incluyen la modulación de conductas destinadas al cuidado y crecimiento saludable de la descendencia. la oxitocina está relacionada con patrones sexuales y conducta maternal, actúa como neurotransmisor en el cerebro ejerciendo un papel esencial regulando el comportamiento social y afectivo. Investigaciones recientes demostraron que la oxitocina aumenta la empatía, facilita la conducta social, la confieanza hacia otros, y modifica la forma de procesamiento de las señales sociales, su codificación e interpretación, para así lograr una adecuada relación con pares. Estudios que apoyan el posible uso terapéutico de estas neurohormonas revelan datos alentadores al demostrar que mejoran la ansiedad social, que la oxitocina reduciría los síntomas psicóticos y disminuye déficit de la cognición social que no mejoran con tratamientos actuales. Por razones farmacocinéticas la vía de administración terpéutica es intranasal, lo cual aporta comodidad en su aplicación. Los trastornos psiquiátricos que se están investigando para evaluar el potencial beneficio del uso de estos neuropéptidos son esquizofrenia, trastornos del espectro autista, trastornos de ansiedad y estrés, y trastorno bordeline de la personalidad. El objetivo de esta revisión es actualizar avances en la investigación que sustentan la tuilización de estos neuropéptidos como propuesta terapéutica en psiquiatría

Oxytocin effects encompass aspects which include the modulation of behaviors intended for the care and healthy gowth of the offspring. Oxytocin is related to sexual patterns and maternal behavior and acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, playing a key role in social and affective behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxytocin increases empathy, facilitates social behavior, trust towards others, and also changes the way in which social signals are processed, as well as their coding and interpretation, thus leading to a suitable relationship with peers. Studies supporting the potential therapeutic use of these neurohormones reveal encouraging data by demonstrating that these imporve social anxiety, that oxyctocin might reduce psychotic symptoms and social cognitive deficit that do not imporve with the treatments aviable. For pharmacokinetics reasons, the route of administration of oxytocin is intranasal, which makes its application more comfortable. The psychiatric disorders which disorders that are currently being investigated to assess the potential benefit of oxytocin are schizophrenia, autistic spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders and stress, and bordeline personality disorder. The purpose of this review is to provide an updante on the investigations that justify the use of these neuropeptide as therapeutic treatment

Caracterización psicométrica del psychopathy checklist: youth version (PCL:YV) en adolescentes chilenos / Psychometric characterization of the psychopathy checklist: youth version (PCL:YV) in Chilean adolescents

Esta investigación determinó las características psicométricas del Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003) en una muestra de 30 adolescentes chilenos, varones, infractores de ley. El análisis de confiabilidad arrojó un alfa = 0.41 para la escala total e indicadores más elevados para sus cuatro facetas (alfa entre 0.53 y 0.76). La validez concurrente establecida en relación a las escalas del Inventario Clínico para Adolescentes de Millon (MACI; Millon, 1993) mostró relaciones significativas moderadas entre el puntaje total del PCL:YV y las escalas del MACI relacionadas con el constructo de psicopatía. Además, se evaluó su relación con dos escalas de psicopatía desarrolladas conceptualmente con ítems del MACI. Los resultados indican que el PCL:YV presenta indicadores de confiabilidad y validez suficientemente adecuados para continuar su estudio en muestras chilenas con el fin de utilizarlo, en un futuro cercano, en la toma de decisiones profesionales relativas a jóvenes infractores de ley.

This research was aimed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003) in a sample of 30 Chilean male, juvenile offenders. Reliability analysis showed an alpha = 0.41for the total scale and higher indexes for its four facets (alpha between 0.53 and 0.73). The concurrent validity with the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI; Millon, 1993) showed significant associations among the total PCL:YV score and MACI scales related to the psychopathy construct. Besides, the association with two psychopathy scales that were conceptually developed by taking selected MACI items, was assessed. Results indicate that the PCL:YV presents reliability and validity indexes good enough to continue its study in Chilean samples to be use, in the near future, for taking professional decisions with relation to juvenile offenders.

Medida Interpessoal de Psicopatia (IM-P): estudo preliminar no contexto brasileiro / Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM-P): preliminary study in the Brazilian context

INTRODUÇÃO: A observação direta do comportamento interpessoal é um recurso importante na descrição e diagnóstico da personalidade psicopática. A Medida Interpessoal de Psicopatia (Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy, IM-P) é um instrumento psicométrico composto por 21 itens, desenvolvido para ser utilizado em associação com outras escalas de avaliação da psicopatia. Foca-se, especificamente, nos comportamentos interpessoais e aspectos não verbais evidentes na interação do entrevistador com indivíduos que apresentam características psicopáticas. OBJETIVO: Descrever resultados preliminares sobre a investigação de aspectos interpessoais da psicopatia mediante a utilização da IM-P, incluindo as etapas de tradução/adaptação e avaliação de confiabilidade interavaliadores da IM-P, em uma amostra de adolescentes brasileiros. MÉTODO: Trata-se de estudo transversal, descritivo e correlacional realizado com 20 adolescentes masculinos cumprindo medida socioeducativa com privação de liberdade na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre (RS). Após os procedimentos de tradução da escala, treinamento dos pesquisadores e teste piloto por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada, a IM-P foi pontuada por três juízes independentes. RESULTADOS: Os resultados estatísticos, obtidos através do coeficiente de concordância de Kendall, revelaram grau de concordância interavaliadores elevado e satisfatório para os escores totais da IM-P (W = 0,84; p < 0,001). Alguns itens da escala que apresentaram resultados discrepantes foram discutidos e avaliados isoladamente. CONCLUSÃO: Do ponto de vista das propriedades psicométricas da versão em português da IM-P, os resultados deste estudo, embora incipientes, indicaram que a concordância interavaliadores foi consistente e que a escala se mostrou confiável. As limitações do estudo são apresentadas, bem como alguns questionamentos relevantes à continuidade da pesquisa com a IM-P (AU)

INTRODUCTION: The direct observation of interpersonal behaviors is an important resource in the description and diagnosis of the psychopathic personality. The Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM-P) is a psychometric instrument comprised of 21 items, designed to be applied in association with other instruments that also evaluate psychopaths. It focuses specifically on interpersonal and non-verbal behaviors that become evident during the interaction between the interviewer and individuals with psychopathic characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To describe preliminary results obtained in the assessment of interpersonal behaviors of psychopathic individuals using the IM-P, including instrument translation/adaptation and inter-rater reliability results, in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlation study conducted with a sample of 20 institutionalized male adolescents from the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Following instrument translation, interviewer training, and a pilot study conducted using a semi-structured interview, the IM-P was scored by three independent raters. RESULTS: The statistical results obtained using Kendall's coefficient of concordance revealed a high and satisfactory inter-rater agreement for IM-P total scores (W = 0.84; p < 0.001). Some items showed conflicting results and were therefore discussed and evaluated separately. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the IM-P, as assessed in this preliminary study, showed consistent inter-rater concordance, suggesting instrument reliability. Some study limitations are discussed, as are some relevant aspects that should be taken into consideration in future research involving the IM-P (AU)

Psicopatía infanto-juvenil: avances en conceptualización, evaluación e intervención: [revisión] / Child and juvenile psychopathy: advances in conceptualization, assessment and intervention: [review]

Considerando las necesidades actuales presentes en el trabajo psicológico con adolescentes con problemas de adaptación social, este artículo realiza una revisión teórica actualizada sobre el constructo de psicopatía infanto-juvenil. Se abordan aspectos relacionados con la definición y extensión del constructo, los instrumentos de evaluación disponibles, los factores de riesgo y las perspectivas de tratamiento y prevención. En la discusión se ponderan las diferentes aproximaciones conceptuales, se plantea la conveniencia de desarrollar tanto instrumentos comprehensivos como de evaluación específica, ajustados a nuestro contexto sociocultural, y se destaca la necesidad de iniciar estudios sobre intervención que consideren las características de personalidad que están involucradas en el constructo.

Considering the current needs present in the psychological approach to adolescents with social adjustment problems, this article presents an actualized theoretical review about the construct of child and juvenile psychopathy. The topics included in the revision are the construct definition and extension, the tools for assessment that are available, the risk factors and different approaches to intervention. The discussion weights the different approaches to conceptualization, it points the convenience for studying general and specific assessments tools adjusted to our socio-cultural context, and it remarks the need for studying interventions that include the personality characteristics involved in the psychopathy construct.

Asociaciones implícitas como método para la detección de violencia y psicopatía / Implicit associations as a method for detection of violence and psychopathy

La psicopatía es un trastorno de la personalidad que caracterizado por rasgos interpersonales, afectivos, conductuales y de estilo de vida. Está asociada con conducta violenta, existen pocos estudios que evalúen la tendencia hacia la violencia en psicópatas mediante técnicas de asociaciones implícitas como el Test de Asociaciones Implícitas (IAT). Se desarrolló el IAT-violencia, para evaluar las distorsiones cognitivas acerca de la violencia en 195 reos de acuerdo al nivel de psicopatía y al tipo de delito, se exploró el desempeño en la prueba de acuerdo a los niveles de los factores 1 y 2 de psicopatía. Los resultados indican que los sujetos violentos con alta psicopatía presentan distorsiones cognitivas acerca de la violencia. Aquellos con alto factor 2 de psicopatía presentan distorsiones cognitivas acerca de la violencia. Se discute la relación entre los factores 1 y 2 con la conducta violenta y la importancia de contar con instrumentos breves, confiables y objetivos. Las entrevistas semi-estructuradas requieren 1.5-3.5 horas, un entrenamiento especializado para evaluar el grado de psicopatía. Se discute el potencial para detectar sujetos que estén en riesgo de cometer alguna ofensa violenta mediante el IAT-violencia que toma 15 minutos y cuya calificación es automatizada.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by interpersonal, affective, behavioral and life-style traits. There is a relationship between psychopathy and violent behavior but few studies assess the tendency toward violence in psychopaths by implicit association methods like the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The violent-IAT was developed to assess the cognitive distortions about violence of 195 male inmates according to their psychopathy level and the offense committed, in addition, the performance in the test according to the factor level 1 and 2 of psychopathy was assessed. The results showed that psychopath-violent inmates had cognitive distortions about violence; and those with high factor 2 of psychopathy level inmates had a tendency toward violence. The discussion focused in the relationship between both psychopathy factors and violent behavior; and the importance to have reliable, objective and brief instruments like violent-IAT to measure the tendency toward violent behavior. The semi-structured interviews need a long time and a specialized training to assess the psychopathy level. The potential to detect subjects in high risk of committing extreme violent offenses by violent-IAT, that only need 15 minutes and gives an automatic-scored, is also discussed.

Civil competence assessment of the mental disorders involved in compensation of personal injury / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To seek and ascertain indicators that can be used in the civil competence assessment of the mental disorders involved in compensation of personal injury.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was made on the data related to the interviewee's mental status assessed by forensic experts during the period from 2003 to 2005 in Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, P.R.China. The 6 indicators, including awareness of situation, factual understanding of issues, appreciation of likely consequences, rational manipulation of information, functioning in one's own environment, and communication of choice, were graded and statistically analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software.@*RESULTS@#The 6 indicators correlated well with the assessment of forensic experts ,with the related coefficient between 0.632 and 0.876, and the inter-related coefficient among the 6 indicators between 0.575 and 0.911.@*CONCLUSION@#The 6 indicators could be used for the civil competence assessment and may also be taken as the basis for further standardization and quantification of civil competence.

Psicopatía: una revisión acerca de su definición y evolución conceptual en la historia de la psiquiatría / Psychopathy: a review about its definition and conceptual evolution in the history of psychiatry

En el presente trabajo se revisa la evolución que ha tenido el término psicopatía y sus diferentes conceptualizaciones a lo largo de distintas etapas en la historia de la psiquiatría contemporánea. Se inicia con las primeras descripciones clínicas formuladas por los alienistas, para seguir con los aportes de la psiquiatría clásica de principios del siglo XIX. Se incluyen también los aportes efectuados por la tradición psicoanalítica y sus intentos por ahondar en la comprensión más profunda del funcionamiento intrapsíquico del trastorno. Como contraste, aparecen las descripciones más actuales contenidas en los manuales DSM y CIE, que en un intento por definir criterios diagnósticos más objetivables, parecen haber caído en una suerte de "criminalización" del trastorno.

In this paper, the evolution of the term psychopathy and its different conceptualizations throughout different stages in the history of contemporary psychiatry is reviewed. It begins with the first clinical descriptions made by the alienists, to continue with the contributions of classical psychiatry of the early nineteenth century. The contributions made by the psychoanalytic tradition and its attempts to deepen the deeper understanding of the intrapsychic functioning of the disorder are also reviewed. In contrast, we also reviewed the most current descriptions contained in the DSM and ICD manuals, which in an attempt to define more objective diagnostic criteria appear to have fallen into a kind of criminalization of the disorder

Labeling disorder: the relationship between conduct problems and drug use in adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To verify how conduct disorder and conduct problems are associated with gender, age at onset of drug use and categories of drugs used. METHOD: A test of association was conducted between the presence of comorbidity and gender. Mean age of first use of each drug was compared to mean age of first arrest, of first robbery/theft, and of first drug dealing. RESULTS: In this sample, approximately 59 percent of adolescents had already robbed and/or stolen, 38.6 percent had already been arrested, 32.3 percent had prior history of drug dealing, 24.1 percent had depression, and 9.6 percent had conduct disorder. Prevalence of conduct problems was 65.2 percent. Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine were used before the first robbery and/or theft, first drug dealing, and first arrest. DISCUSSION: The fact that drug use onset preceded illegal acts suggests that the latter are the consequence of the consumption of the former, or perhaps, the consequence of "social invisibility" (feeling of not belonging to anything or to anybody) by which these youths undergo. CONCLUSIONS: Labeling these youths as conduct-disordered adolescents may cloud a rather different reality, and it may submit them to more social isolation and stigmatization as well.

OBJETIVO: Verificar como o transtorno de conduta e os problemas de conduta se associam ao gênero, a idade de início do uso de drogas e aos tipos de drogas consumidas. MÉTODO: Realizou-se teste de associação entre presença de comorbidade e sexo. As médias de idade do primeiro uso de cada droga foram comparadas com as médias de idade da primeira prisão e das práticas do primeiro roubo e do primeiro tráfico. RESULTADOS: Aproximadamente 59 por cento dos adolescentes já haviam praticado algum tipo de roubo, 38,6 por cento já haviam sido presos, 32,3 por cento possuíam história pregressa de tráfico de drogas, 24,1 por cento tinham depressão e 9,6 por cento transtorno de conduta. A prevalência de problemas de conduta foi de 65,2 por cento. Tabaco, álcool, maconha e cocaína foram usados antes do primeiro roubo, do primeiro tráfico e da primeira prisão. DISCUSSÃO: Os atos ilegais ocorreram posteriormente ao início do uso de drogas, denotando ser conseqüência deste consumo ou, talvez, conseqüência da "invisibilidade social" (sensação de não-pertencimento a nada ou a ninguém) pela qual passam estes jovens. CONCLUSÕES: A rotulação destes jovens como portadores de transtorno de conduta pode ofuscar uma realidade bem diferente, além de submetê-los a uma maior marginalização e estigmatização.

El BEST-Index: un instrumento para la valoración de la peligrosidad y las habilidades prácticas en pacientes psiquiátricos / BEST-Index: an instrument for evaluating the dangerousness and practic ability in psychiatry patients

El objeto de este estudio fue ampliar la base empírica de un instrumento para la valoración de la peligrosidad y las habilidades sociales (Behavioural Status índex [BEST-Index]) y explorar su utilidad en la práctica psiquiátrica. La muestra se compuso de N = 86 pacientes internados en unidades psiquiátricas forenses. Los pacientes fueron evaluados en tres oportunidades en intervalos de nueve meses con el BEST-Index, la Escala de Calificación de la Psicopatía Revisada (Psychopathy Check List Revised [PCL-R]) y la escala HCR-20 (Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20). Resultados: El BEST-Index posee una confiabilidad interjueces adecuada; las escalas del BEST-Index exhiben correlaciones significativas con los instrumentos estadísticos PCL-R y HCR-20. Además, el BEST-Index permite valorar cambios conductuales relevantes en el curso del tratamiento

The aim of this study was to introduce a unified approach to assessment of social risk and related social behaviours in offender groups using the Behavioural Status Index (BEST-Index); and to explore its clinical utility for the forensic psychiatric field. Using an initial sample of N=86 forensic psychiatric patients, the BEST-Index, the Psychopathy Checklist Revised [PCL-R] and the scale HCR-20 (Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20) were applied three times in intervals of nine months. Results: The BEST-Index has satisfactory inter rater reliability; the data suggest good convergent validity of the BEST-Index scales and the actuarial instruments (HCR-20, PCL-R); the BEST-Index also allows for monitoring behavioural change over the treatment period

Transtornos de personalidade, psicopatia e serial killers / Personality disorders, psychopathy, and serial killers

OBJETIVO: Apresentar as características básicas dos diversos transtornos específicos de personalidade, mas centrando-se no transtorno de personalidade anti-social, fazendo sua diferenciação com psicopatia. O estudo ainda se propõe a abordar a figura do serial killer, apontando a presença de aspectos psicopáticos no homicídio seriado. MÉTODO: Uma revisão bibliográfica foi feita no sentido de se abordar convergências e divergências entre diversos autores sobre um assunto tão polêmico, sobretudo quanto à viabilidade de tratamento dessa clientela forense. RESULTADOS: Enquanto o transtorno de personalidade anti-social é um diagnóstico médico, pode-se entender o termo "psicopatia", pertencente à esfera psiquiátrico-forense, como um "diagnóstico legal". Não se pode falar ainda de tratamento eficaz para os chamados "serial killers". CONCLUSÃO: Os transtornos de personalidade, especialmente o tipo anti-social, representam ainda hoje um verdadeiro desafio para a psiquiatria forense. O local mais adequado e justo para seus portadores, bem como recomendação homogênea e padronizada de tratamento são questões ainda não respondidas

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the basic characteristics of several specific personality disorders, focusing mainly in antisocial personality disorder. The differences between antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy are highlighted. Serial killers and its psychopathic aspects are also discussed.METHOD: A bibliographic review was completed in order to outline convergences and divergences among different authors about this controversial issue, especially those concerning the possibility of treatment.RESULTS: While anti-social personality disorder is a medical diagnosis, the term "psychopathy" (which belongs to the sphere of forensic psychiatry) may be understood as a "legal diagnosis". It is not still possible to identify an effective treatment for serial killers.CONCLUSION: Personality disorders, especially of the antisocial type, still represent a formidable challenge to forensic psychiatry today. Questions as yet unanswered include the best and most humane place for patients with this condition and the nature of a standardised treatment recommendation