ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although several authors have suggested that a single externalizing spectrum encompassing both antisocial behavioral syndromes and substance use disorder is to be preferred, this assumption has not been evaluated systematically throughout studies. PURPOSE: The objective was to establish the generalizability of transdiagnostic models of externalizing disorders across different types of disorders and populations, in regard to the strength of the evidence. METHOD: We conducted a systematic literature review using combinations of two sets of keywords: 1) "antisocial", "externalizing", "conduct disorder", "disruptive behavior disorder", "substance abuse", "substance-related disorder", "cannabis", "cocaine", "hallucinogen", "alcoholism", "opioid"; 2) "latent structure", "factor analysis", "multivariate analysis". RESULTS: Models supporting a superordinate factor appeared dominant in a limited set of different populations, on which the majority of the research sample was focused. CONCLUSIONS: Although the externalizing spectrum model is a promising angle for future research and treatment, extending research on this model in a higher diversity of populations is recommended to enhance the understanding and applicability of the externalizing spectrum model.
Subject(s)
Antisocial Personality Disorder/diagnosis , Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Conduct Disorder/diagnosis , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Humans , SyndromeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Substance use regularly co-occurs with many types of criminality, including violent behaviour. AIM: To review the relationships between substance abuse and criminality, which can involve violent behaviour. METHOD: We searched the literature for meta-analyses, reviews and empirical articles about relationships between the problematic use of and addiction to psychoactive substances on the one hand and antisocial and aggressive behaviour and recidivism on the other hand. RESULTS: In the case of both men and women there are significant relationships between substance abuse and criminal behavior. The majority of substance users, however, are not criminals and most of the offences they commit can be termed 'acquisitive offences'. The relationship between alcohol and violence is stronger than the relationship between substance abuse and violence. Furthermore, it is only in cocaine users that we find indications that psychopharmacological effects stimulate violent behaviour. A number of factors, particularly interactions, determine whether substance abusers are criminal and are violent. Violent behaviour can result from interactions between the severity of illness caused by substance abuse, individual psychological, social and neurobiological characteristics, situational factors and expectancies regarding the psychopharmacological effects of a particular substance. CONCLUSION: Substance abuse, particularly the combination of alcohol and drugs, is a predictor of criminality and criminal recidivism.
