NCJ Number
183944
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 698-701
Date Published
May 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study examines personality characteristics of some juvenile sexual homicide offenders.
Abstract
The study explored anger experience, styles of anger expression, and the relationship between anger, sadistic personality disorder, and psychopathy in 14 juvenile sexual homicide offenders. The offenders were evaluated through clinical assessment, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP), the Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and review of correctional records. Trait Anger was significantly higher than State Anger for the subjects, but still comparable to adolescent norms. The difference between Anger-In and Anger-Out scale scores was not significant. Unexpectedly, Anger Control scale scores were significantly higher than Anger-Out scale scores, clinically consistent with efforts by some of the boys to resist sadistic impulses. Psychopathy was significantly negatively associated with Anger Control. The study lends some support to the validity and utility of sadistic personality disorder as a diagnosis in younger forensic populations. The findings do not support the contention that this form of violence is necessarily an outgrowth of excessive anger. Tables, references