Patrizia Velotti1, Carlo Garofalo2, Mario D'Aguanno3, Chiara Petrocchi4, Raffaele Popolo5, Giampaolo Salvatore6, Giancarlo Dimaggio7. 1. University of Genoa, Department of Educational Sciences, Corso Andrea Podestà, 2, 16126, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: patrizia.velotti@unige.it. 2. 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. 3. Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mario.daguanno@gmail.com. 4. Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Via degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: chiarapetrocchi@gmail.com. 5. Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: popoloraffaele@gmail.com. 6. Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: centrotmi@centrotmi.com. 7. Center for Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Piazza dei Martiri di Belfiore, 4, 00195, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: gdimaje@libero.it.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 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). METHOD: 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.
INTRODUCTION: 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). METHOD: 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.
Authors: Sandra Fielenbach; Franc C L Donkers; Marinus Spreen; Harmke A Visser; Stefan Bogaerts Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2018-01-25 Impact factor: 4.157