The Influence of Psychopathy on Incarcerated Inmates' Cognitive Empathy.

(1) Background: there is an ongoing debate about whether psychopathic traits increase or decrease cognitive empathy/Theory of Mind. (2) Methods: using a representative sample of 204 Spanish convicted inmates incarcerated at the Pereiro de Aguiar Penitentiary in Ourense, Spain, we investigated the relationship between two tools for the assessment of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a well-known measure of cognitive empathy. (3) Results: The results showed no clear connection between the scores on the psychopathy assessment tools and RMET performance. This lack of association was stronger when the age variable was included in the multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: the results of this study failed to detect any clear link between psychopathy and cognitive empathy performance. Accordingly, our results indicate that psychopathy neither improves nor worsens cognitive empathy.

Psychopathy, addictions and female gender: Comparative study using the Psychopathy Checklist Revised and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality. / Psicopatía y adicciones en mujeres: Estudio comparativo utilizando el Psychopathy Checklist Revised y el Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality.

Traditionally, psychopathy research has focused on assessing men with the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R). Research on women with other assessment tools is scarce. The objective of this study is to evaluate psychopathy, using various tools, in a sample with both women and men. The study involved 204 inmates (mean age (DS) = 40.93 (11.8)), 28 women (13.7%), in the Pereiro de Aguiar penitentiary (Ourense). Sociodemographic, substance use, and criminal variables were collected, and all were evaluated with the following tools: PCL-R,  Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), and the International Personality Disorder Examination. In this sample, when assessed with the PCL-R, males obtained significantly higher scores on facet 4, which measures antisocial behaviour. Women obtained significantly higher scores on the Self domain in the CAPP, measuring narcissism. No symptom or item was able to clearly discriminate psychopathic women from psychopathic men in a Support Vector Machine model. The construct of psychopathy is similar for women and men in this representative penitentiary sample. Women showed higher scores for narcissism and men for antisociality. It is better to combine the PCL-R with another tool such as the CAPP to assess these psychopathological differences. No symptom or item has a score that can be recommended as a method for discriminating psychopathic women from psychopathic men.

La investigación en psicopatía se ha centrado tradicionalmente en la evaluación de varones con el Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R). La investigación en mujeres utilizando otros instrumentos de evaluación es muy escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la psicopatía, utilizando varios instrumentos, es una muestra que incluya mujeres y varones. 204 internos (edad media (SD) = 40,93 (11,8)), 28 mujeres (13,7%), del Centro Penitenciario de Pereiro de Aguiar (Ourense) participaron en este estudio. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, consumo de sustancias,antecedentes delictivos y fueron evaluados con los siguientes instrumentos:  PCL-R, Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) y el International Personality Disorder Examination. En esta muestra representativa de la población penitenciaria se observó que en el PCL-R los varones obtenían puntuaciones significativamente más elevadas en la faceta 4 que mide la conducta antisocial. Las mujeres obtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más elevadas en el CAPP en el dominio Self, que mide la conducta narcisista. No se obtuvo ningún síntoma o ítem que permitiese discriminar claramente a las mujeres psicopáticas de los varones psicopáticos utilizando un modelo de Máquinas de Vectores Soporte. El constructo de la psicopatía es similar para las mujeres y los hombres en esta muestra. Las mujeres presentan puntuaciones más elevadas de narcisismo y los varones de antisocialidad. Para valorar mejor estas diferencias psicopatológicas es mejor combinar el PCL-R con otro instrumento como el CAPP. Ningún síntoma o ítem tiene una puntuación que pueda recomendarse como método que permita discriminar a las mujeres psicopáticas de los varones psicopáticos.

Psicopatía y adicciones en mujeres: Estudio comparativo utilizando el Psychopathy Checklist Revised y el Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality / Psychopathy, addictions and female gender: Comparative study using the Psychopathy Checklist Revised and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality

La investigación en psicopatía se ha centrado tradicionalmente en laevaluación de varones con el Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R). Lainvestigación en mujeres utilizando otros instrumentos de evaluación esmuy escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la psicopatía, utilizandovarios instrumentos, es una muestra que incluya mujeres y varones. 204internos (edad media (SD) = 40,93 (11,8)), 28 mujeres (13,7%), delCentro Penitenciario de Pereiro de Aguiar (Ourense) participaron eneste estudio. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, consumo desustancias,antecedentes delictivos y fueron evaluados con los siguientesinstrumentos: PCL-R, Comprehensive Assessment of PsychopathicPersonality (CAPP) y el International Personality Disorder Examination.En esta muestra representativa de la población penitenciaria se observóque en el PCL-R los varones obtenían puntuaciones significativamentemás elevadas en la faceta 4 que mide la conducta antisocial. Las mujeresobtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más elevadas en el CAPPen el dominio Self, que mide la conducta narcisista. No se obtuvoningún síntoma o ítem que permitiese discriminar claramente a lasmujeres psicopáticas de los varones psicopáticos utilizando un modelode Máquinas de Vectores Soporte. El constructo de la psicopatía essimilar para las mujeres y los hombres en esta muestra. Las mujerespresentan puntuaciones más elevadas de narcisismo y los varones deantisocialidad. Para valorar mejor estas diferencias psicopatológicas esmejor combinar el PCL-R con otro instrumento como el CAPP. Ningúnsíntoma o ítem tiene una puntuación que pueda recomendarse comométodo que permita discriminar a las mujeres psicopáticas de losvarones psicopáticos. (AU)

Traditionally, psychopathy research has focused on assessing menwith the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R). Research on womenwith other assessment tools is scarce. The objective of this study is toevaluate psychopathy, using various tools, in a sample with both womenand men. The study involved 204 inmates (mean age (DS) = 40.93(11.8)), 28 women (13.7%), in the Pereiro de Aguiar penitentiary(Ourense). Sociodemographic, substance use, and criminal variableswere collected, and all were evaluated with the following tools: PCL-R,Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP),and the International Personality Disorder Examination. In thissample, when assessed with the PCL-R, males obtained significantlyhigher scores on facet 4, which measures antisocial behaviour.Women obtained significantly higher scores on the Self domain inthe CAPP, measuring narcissism. No symptom or item was able toclearly discriminate psychopathic women from psychopathic men ina Support Vector Machine model. The construct of psychopathy issimilar for women and men in this representative penitentiary sample.Women showed higher scores for narcissism and men for antisociality.It is better to combine the PCL-R with another tool such as the CAPPto assess these psychopathological differences. No symptom or itemhas a score that can be recommended as a method for discriminatingpsychopathic women from psychopathic men. (AU)

Comparison between the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality in a representative sample of Spanish prison inmates.

In the field of psychopathy, there is an ongoing debate about the core traits that define the disorder, and that therefore must be present to some extent in all psychopaths. The main controversy of this debate concerns criminal behaviour, as some researchers consider it a defining trait, while others disagree. Using a representative sample of 204 Spanish convicted inmates incarcerated at the Pereiro de Aguiar Penitentiary in Ourense, Spain, we tested two competing models, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), which includes criminal behaviour items, versus the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), which does not. We used two different PCL-R models, one that includes criminal items and another that does not. PCL-R factors, facets, and testlets from both models and CAPP dimensions were correlated and compared. Two different PCL-R cut-off scores, 25 or more and 30 or more, were used for the analysis. Overall, a strong correlation was found between PCL-R and CAPP scores in the whole sample, but as scores increased and inmates became more psychopathic, the correlations weakened. All these data indicate that psychopathy, understood to mean having high scores on the PCL-R and CAPP, is a multidimensional entity, and inmates can develop the disorder and then receive the diagnosis through different dimensions. The CAPP domains showed better correlations when compared with the PCL-R factors from both models, showing that an instrument for the assessment of psychopathy without a criminal dimension is valuable for clinical assessment and research purposes.

Novel validity evidence of the Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R) in a representative sample of Spanish inmates.

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) validation studies have been conducted mainly in non representative samples of North American adult male serious offenders. Research in other samples is needed to test the generalizability of PCL-R construct validity. PCL-R psychometric properties and construct validity were evaluated in a representative sample of 204 Spanish sentenced inmates. These inmates had served at least 6 months of their sentence at Pereiro de Aguiar prison. This sample was heterogeneous with respect to type of official charges and was representative, as all offenders who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were invited to participate. Classical test theory indexes of reliability, correlations between PCL-R items, factors and facets, external correlations, and factor structure analysis demonstrated that PCL-R affective, interpersonal and lifestyle dimensions were more reliable and valid for the psychopathy than the antisocial construct in this Southern European sample.

Clinician ratings of the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) in a representative sample of Spanish prison inmates: New validity evidence.

The Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) is a concept map of psychopathic personality disorder (PPD). The CAPP- Institutional Rating Scale (IRS) is a tool designed to assess CAPP symptoms in institutional settings. The CAPP contains 33 personality traits organized in six domains: attachment, behavioural, cognitive, dominance, emotional and self. Until now, much of the CAPP research has been conducted out of clinical, forensic and correctional settings using self-ratings. In the current study, the psychometric properties and construct validity of the CAPP-IRS were evaluated in a non-convenience sample of 204 Spanish convicts. Clinician ratings were employed. Participants had been imprisoned for at least 6 months at Pereiro de Aguiar Penitentiary. This group of inmates was heterogeneous with respect to type of official charges, and representative as all convicts interned for at least 6 months in this prison were screened for participation. Classical test theory indexes of reliability, correlations between CAPP items and domains and external correlations and structural analyses demonstrated that CAPP assessment is a solid and robust way of evaluating psychopathy in a correctional setting. Best fit was found for a three-factor model: attachment and emotional items associated with a callous and unemotional trait, dominance and self items associated with a pathological interpersonal style, and behavioural and residual items from other domains associated with impulsivity.

Diagnosing Psychopathy through Emotional Regulation Tasks: Heart Rate Variability versus Implicit Association Test.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the assessment of psychopathy relies on semistructured interviews plus file reviews. In order to improve the predictive validity of psychopathy at the individual level, tools that are not based on the rating of signs and symptoms are in great need. SAMPLING AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in a representative sample of 204 Spanish sentenced inmates. These inmates have served at least 6 months of their sentence at the Pereiro de Aguiar (Ourense, Spain) penitentiary. Psychopathy signs and symptoms were scored through interview and file review. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) and heart rate variability (HRV) experiments were also conducted. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was performed as a control measure. RESULTS: Spectral HRV indices were able to detect psychopathic inmates at a significant level, while IAT experiments and the IGT could not discriminate them. HRV indices showed a more significant difference when assessing the affective-interpersonal dimensions of psychopathy. CONCLUSIONS: An HRV experiment is better than IAT in order to detect psychopathy in a representative sample of Spanish inmates.

Nivel de ansiedad de jóvenes infractores internados en un centro educativo de régimen cerrado / Level of anxiety in young offenders committed to a closed educational centre

Este estudio analiza el nivel de ansiedad (STAI) de una pobla-ción adolescente infractora (n=57), internada en un centro educativo de régimen cerrado, en relación con sus variables sociodemográficas y con las características de su proceso de internamiento. Los resultados revelan que un 22.8% de los jóvenes presenta altos niveles de ansiedad estado y un 21.1% presenta altos niveles de ansiedad rasgo. Asimismo, la frecuencia de llamadas recibidas (p=.038), de visitas recibidas (p=.019) y la prescripción de psicofármacos (p=.007) se relacionan con el estado de ansiedad, mien-tras que el género (p=.046), el grupo educativo (p=.002) y el tiempo transcurrido desde la fecha de ingreso (p=.013) se asocian con la ansiedad rasgo. Como conclusiones más relevantes cabe señalar que los adolescentes infractores presentan niveles de ansiedad superiores al resto de sus coetáneos y que la ausencia de vínculo con las personas referenciales durante el internamiento aumenta significativamente el nivel de ansiedad estado

This study analyses the level of anxiety (STAI) in a young offender population (n=57), committed to a closed educational centre, in relation to their social and demographical variables, and the characteristics of their internment process. Results reveal that 22.8% of young offenders has high levels of state anxiety, and 21.1% has high levels of trait anxiety. Moreover, the frequency of received calls (p=.038), visits (p=.019), and the prescription of psychopharmacs (p=.007) are related to state anxiety, whereas gender (p=.046), educational group (p=.002), and time since the date of internment (p=.013) associate to trait anxiety. In conclusion, young offenders have higher levels of anxiety than their peers, and the lack of bonds with referential people during internment increases the level of state anxiety significantly

La recuperación en la psicosis temprana: los procesos de duelo y el sentido de la experiencia psicótica / Recovering in first episode psychosis: grief processes and the sense of psychotic experience

Introducción: El impacto de un primer episodio psicótico tienes unas consecuencias que van mucho más allá de los aspectos sintomáticos. Este irrumpe en la vida de la persona paralizando prácticamente todas las esferas que la configuran; el rol profesional, la formación, la espera familiar, social y la relación de pareja. Objetivo: Describir los mecanismos de autocompresión de la enfermedad, repercusión subjetiva y proceso de afrontamiento de una persona a partir de un primer episodio psicótico con evolución posterior a un trastorno esquizofrénico. Resultados: Se destaca la presencia de tres etapas diferentes de duela en la esquizofrenia que tienen características de la conciencia de pérdida o la forma ambigua de las pérdidas. Conclusiones: Podemos hablar de la presencia de un proceso de duelos múltiples durante la fase inicial de la esquizofrenia que tiene consecuencias terapéuticas directas a tener presentes durante la intervención

Introduction: The impact of first episode psychosis could be traumatic indepently of the severity of the symptoms. In this sense, the life of persons who have a first episode psychosis could be paralysed in different areas: their professional role, careers, family, social relations and the affective relationships. Objective: To describe the patients mechanism used to be aware of the illness, subjective impact and coping process of a patient who had a first episode schizophrenia. Results: We observed three different grief stages in the initial phase of schizophrenia with distinctive characteristics as another grief process. Theses differences are the sequence of the awareness of things they lost and the ambiguity of the them. Conclusions: We can confirm the presence os a multiple grief process during the initial phase of schizophrenia. The data supports the idea that we have to aware that there are some therapeutic implications in the intervention with schizophrenic patients who are in the initial phase of the illness

Valores personales y profesionales en médicos de familia y su relación con el síndrome del burnout / Personal and professional values in primary care physicians and your relation with burnout syndrome

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar si existen diferencias en los valores de los médicos de Atención Primaria con niveles altos o bajos de burnout. La muestra quedó constituida por 61 médicos que habían participado anteriormente en un estudio longitudinal iniciado en 1999. En la primera evaluación participaron 528 médicos de la provincia de Barcelona y en la presente se han evaluado aquellos que obtuvieron las puntuaciones extremas en desgaste profesional. Para la recogida de datos se aplicó un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos, la versión española del MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory) y un cuestionario de valores validado con trabajadores del ICS (Institut Català de la Salut). Se observan diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en los valores de Altruismo (p=0,01), Confidencialidad (p=0,013) y Abnegación (p=0,036). Asimismo se aprecia una correlación directa entre Inmediatez Cansancio Emocional (p<0,05), una relación inversa entre Altruismo Cansancio Emocional (p<0,01) y Altruismo Despersonalización (p<0,05). En suma, todo parece indicar que algunos valores personales y profesionales se asocian a la presencia o ausencia de burnout. Paralelamente, la percepción de conflicto entre los valores personales y los profesionales podría favorecer la presencia de burnout

The aim of the current study was to analyse the differences in values of Primary Care doctors with high or low scores in burnout. 61 Primary Care doctors with extremely scores in burnout who participated in a longitudinal study started in 1999 were chose. In the first assessment were interviewed 528 subjects from Barcelona’s northern countries. There were used a sociodemographic questionnaire data, the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and a values questionnaire that was validated in ICS (Institut Català de la Salut) workers sample. Statistically meaningful differences were observed in the following values between groups: Altruism (p=0,01), Confidentiality (p=0,013) y Abnegation (p=0,036). Data shows a direct correlation between Impatience-Emotional Exhaustion (p<0,05), inverse relations between Altruism Emotional Exhaustion (p<0,01) and Altruism Depersonalisation (p<0,05). The study shows some personal and professional values are associated with high or low levels of burnout. In the same way the conflict perception between personal and professional values could be associated with high scores in burnout

[Study of the level of social apprehension in primary care users. Its relationship with anxiety and illness behaviour]. / Estudio del grado de aprensión social en usuarios de atención primaria: su relación con la ansiedad y la conducta de enfermedad.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the level of social apprehension in people who use primary care centres and its relationship with their level of anxiety and illness behaviour. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was carried out at 3 primary care centres: CAP Sant Miquel, CAP Bellavista, and CAP Vallès Oriental. PARTICIPANTS: 330 subjects aged between 18 and 75 years old who used their primary care Centre and participated voluntarily in the study. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: A sociodemographic data questionnaire and the following measurements were used: the Social Apprehension Scale (SAS), the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ). RESULTS: 31.8% of the subjects showed high levels of social apprehension and 44.5% revealed moderate scores. Statistically meaningful relation was observed between the levels of social apprehension and the levels of trait anxiety (P=.002), state anxiety (P=.008), hypochondriasis (P=.000), affective disturbance (P=.037), disease conviction (P=.001), interpersonal discord (P=.001), and difficulties in social relations (P=.042). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of primary care users show high/moderate levels of social apprehension that are directly linked to anxiety and inversely linked to the concept of abnormal illness behaviour related to hypochondriasis and other fears of suffering from health disorders.

Estudio del grado de aprensión social en usuarios de atención primaria: su relación con la ansiedad / Study of the level of social apprehension in primary care users. Its relationship with anxiety and illness behaviour

Objetivo. Analizar el grado de aprensión social de las personas que consultan en su centro de atención primaria (CAP) y la relación con su grado de ansiedad y la conducta ante la enfermedad. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal. Emplazamiento. El estudio se efectuó en 3 CAP de Granollers (Barcelona): Sant Miquel, Bellavista y Vallès Oriental. Participantes. Se incluyó a 330 sujetos de 18-75 años que acudieron a su CAP de referencia y participaron voluntariamente en el estudio. Mediciones principales. Cada uno de los participantes cumplimentó un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos, así como la Escala de Aprensividad Social (EAS), la Escala de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI) y el Illness Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ). Resultados. El 31,8% de los participantes mostró puntuaciones altas de aprensión social y el 44,5% medias. Hay una relación significativa directa entre el grado de aprensión social y los grados de ansiedad rasgo (p = 0,002) y ansiedad estado (p = 0,008), e inversa con las subescalas de hipocondría (p = 0,000), alteraciones afectivas (p = 0,037), convicción de enfermedad (p = 0,001), discordia interpersonal (p = 0,001) y dificultades de relación con los demás (p = 0,042). Conclusiones. Un alto porcentaje de usuarios de los CAP estudiados muestra grados de aprensión social medios/altos, los cuales se vinculan de una manera directa con la ansiedad y de una manera inversa con el concepto de conducta anormal de enfermedad relacionado con la hipocondría y otros temores a presentar trastornos de la salud

Objetive. To analyse the level of social apprehension in people who use primary care centres and its relationship with their level of anxiety and illness behaviour. Design. Descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study. Setting. The study was carried out at 3 primary care centres: CAP Sant Miquel, CAP Bellavista, and CAP Vallès Oriental. Participants. 330 subjects aged between 18 and 75 years old who used their primary care Centre and participated voluntarily in the study. Main measurements. A sociodemographic data questionnaire and the following measurements were used: the Social Apprehension Scale (SAS), the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ). Results. 31.8% of the subjects showed high levels of social apprehension and 44.5% revealed moderate scores. Statistically meaningful relation was observed between the levels of social apprehension and the levels of trait anxiety (P=.002), state anxiety (P=.008), hypochondriasis (P=.000), affective disturbance (P=.037), disease conviction (P=.001), interpersonal discord (P=.001), and difficulties in social relations (P=.042). Conclusions. A high percentage of primary care users show high/moderate levels of social apprehension that are directly linked to anxiety and inversely linked to the concept of abnormal illness behaviour related to hypochondriasis and other fears of suffering from health disorders

Ansiedad de los adolescentes durante su hospitalización en Unidades de Psiquiatría de 24 h vs hospitales de día / No disponible

Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación es estudiar los niveles de ansiedad y su evolución en una población adolescente ingresada en dos unidades: hospital general (HG) y hospital de día (HD). Se ha realizado un diseño observacional, descriptivo y longitudinal en cuatro unidades hospitalarias: Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona. Hospital de Día Orienta de Gavá. Hospital de Día Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona y Mollet. Resultados: Existen diferencias entre los niveles de ansiedad de ambas unidades (HG x = 33,77; HD x = 23,94). Un 68,4% de pacientes presenta niveles importantes de ansiedad durante la hospitalización. Conclusiones: Los niveles de ansiedad son significativamente más intensos en el HG pero no existen diferencias significativas en su evolución temporal. Algunas variables como la procedencia y la insatisfacción con la familia están relacionadas con una ansiedad elevada (AU)

Objective: We try to study levels and their developement in teenagers who hospitalized in two hospital units: day care (DH) and 24 hours hospital (GH). It is an observation and longitudinal desing in the following units: Sant Joan de Déu Hospital from Barcelona, Orienta Outpatient Unit of Gavá, San Joan de Déu Outpatient Unit of Barcelona and Mollet. Results: There are diferences between anxiety levels of both hospitalary units (GH x = 33,77; DH: x = 23,94). A 68,4% of patients have importants levels of anxiety during hospitalization, and a 40,8% of them show the higher levels. Discussion: We have found remarkable diferences and temporal stability among the levels of anxiety patients in wards. This levels are higher in psychiatric hospital than day hospital, but the diferences aren’t significantly in temporal evolution. Residence and satisfaction with family relationship are related to this anxiety (AU)