NCJ Number
180125
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 185-202
Editor(s)
Mary McMurran,
Sally Lloyd-Bostock
Date Published
1999
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study considered the extent to which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in the killer after homicide and identified characteristics of the offense and the offender that contribute to the development of these symptoms.
Abstract
The study hypothesized that type of violence (reactive versus instrumental) would be related to PTSD symptoms. Using Blackburn's typology of violent offenders, the study also hypothesized that primary and secondary psychopaths, controlled and inhibited types, would show differing forms of violence, prevalences, and patterns of PTSD symptoms following the homicide. A total of 80 homicide perpetrators were allocated equally to the four offender types based on their profiles on the Special Hospitals Assessment of Personality and Socialization. Each offender completed the PTSD Interview, and the violence displayed during the index offense was classified as either reactive or instrumental. Of the total sample, 52 percent met criteria for current PTSD. Reactive violence and reporting that the offense was traumatic were related to a current diagnosis of PTSD. Differing prevalences and patterns of PTSD symptoms were noted for Blackburn's offender types. Primary psychopaths showed instrumental violence and were the least traumatized. Secondary psychopaths were the most symptomatic, but not necessarily due to involvement in the homicide. Controlled and inhibited types both typically displayed reactive violence and had higher levels of current PTSD symptoms related to involvement in the offense itself. These results can be understood in terms of the cognitive model of Meichenbaum (1996) and also the defining dimensions of Blackburn's typology. 6 tables and 42 references