Mindfulness moderates the relationship between aggression and Antisocial Personality Disorder traits: Preliminary investigation with an offender sample

Patrizia Velotti; Carlo Garofalo; Mario D'Aguanno; Chiara Petrocchi; Raffaele Popolo; Giampaolo Salvatore; Giancarlo Dimaggio

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.08.004

Mindfulness moderates the relationship between aggression and Antisocial Personality Disorder traits: Preliminary investigation with an offender sample

Compr Psychiatry. 2016 Jan:64:38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.08.004. Epub 2015 Aug 12.

Authors

Patrizia Velotti¹, Carlo Garofalo², Mario D'Aguanno³, Chiara Petrocchi⁴, Raffaele Popolo⁵, Giampaolo Salvatore⁶, Giancarlo Dimaggio⁷

Affiliations

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.

PMID: 26350275
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.08.004

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.

MeSH terms

Aggression / psychology*
Antisocial Personality Disorder / complications
Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology*
Criminals / psychology*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Mindfulness*
Self Report
Surveys and Questionnaires
Theory of Mind*