Expressions of antisocial behaviour have a detrimental impact on society. Given the heterogeneity among offenders, however, treatment effects yield various levels of success in diminishing...Show moreExpressions of antisocial behaviour have a detrimental impact on society. Given the heterogeneity among offenders, however, treatment effects yield various levels of success in diminishing antisocial behaviour. Knowledge on the origin of the differences between offenders is thus crucial. Recent research found that positive self-concept was associated with less hostility. This suggests that self-concept might explain some of the heterogeneity between offenders. The main objective of the present study was to examine the effect of the valence of self-concept on aggression type in individuals who presented high psychopathic traits. First, the association between psychopathy and aggression type was explored. Second, the relation between psychopathic traits and self-concept and the moderating effect of selfconcept on psychopathic traits and aggression was examined. Additionally, the relation between psychopathic trait factors (interpersonal-affective factor, and behavioural-lifestyle factor) and aggression types (proactive, and reactive) was examined, followed by an analysis to examine if selfconcept would differently moderate this relation. In total, 67 participants were included for this crosssectional survey study, of which 33 had completed a fMRI self-concept task. The questionnaires that were analyzed were the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory and the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire. The results indicated that a significant effect was found between both the interpersonalaffective factor (p = .001) and the behavioural-lifestyle factor (p = .019) and proactive aggression, and the behavioural-lifestyle factor and reactive aggression (p = .008). Second, a significant positive association was found between the interpersonal-affective factor and self-concept (p = .002). The moderation analyses showed that self-concept did not influence the relation between psychopathic traits and aggression. Given the positive correlation between the interpersonal-affective factor and proactive aggression and the association between self-concept and the interpersonal-affective factor, it can be argued that the promotion of a positive self-concept might lower the interpersonal-affective factor of psychopathy and therefore may also be of influence on aggression. This suggestion, however, needs a stronger body of empirical evidence to support it, since the moderation analysis did not support this hypothesis. Knowledge on the interaction between these variables could provide information for the design of possible treatment interventions for individuals with high psychopathic traits.Show less
Background: Previous studies showed that frontal lobes are affected with children having a Disruptive Behavior Disorder (DBD). The frontal lobes are related to the development of executive...Show moreBackground: Previous studies showed that frontal lobes are affected with children having a Disruptive Behavior Disorder (DBD). The frontal lobes are related to the development of executive functions (EF) and aggressive behavior. Goal: The main goal of this study is to obtain a better insight in the behavior of children with DBD by looking at the underlying mechanism of EF. A distinction has been made between reactive and proactive aggression. Method: This study has been taken amongst 70 boys between 8 and 12 years old. The boys were subdivided in a DBD group (N=41) and a control group (N=29). Aggression was measured by means of the IRPA parent-questionnaire. The EF have been measured by means of several ANT tasks and the BRIEF parent-questionnaire. Results: Boys with DBD scored worse on their EF compared to the control group. A positive correlation was found between BRIEF inhibition and reactive aggression for the DBD group. A positive correlation was also found for BRIEF cognitive flexibility and proactive aggression for the control group. Conclusion: This study shows that boys with DBD between 8 and 12 years old, have more deficits in EF than the control group. A positive correlation between reactive aggression and inhibition was found for the DBD group as well as a positive correlation between proactive aggression and cognitive flexibility for the control group.Show less
This study researches the differences in social cognitive skills and cognitive distortions between boys with Disturbed Behavior Disorders (DBD) and boys without DBD. Subsequently the correlation...Show moreThis study researches the differences in social cognitive skills and cognitive distortions between boys with Disturbed Behavior Disorders (DBD) and boys without DBD. Subsequently the correlation between eight social cognitive skills, four self-serving cognitive distortions and reactive and proactive aggression was researched. 24 boys with DBD and 24 boys in the control group were tested with the SCST (social cognitive skills) and the How I Think-questionnaire (cognitive distortions). Parents of these children completed the IRPA-questionnaire (reactive and proactive aggression). Boys with DBD scored significantly higher on the subscale of the SCST ‘Comparing Perspectives’. Boys with DBD appear to be better in naming differences and similarities between different perspectives than boys in the control group. Proactive aggression was partially predicted by the subscale of the SCST ‘Understandig Perspectives’, in which boys with better capabilities demonstrate more proactive aggression. Both results are possibly explained by the lack of empathy. No indications were found that cognitive distortions correlate with reactive and proactive aggression.Show less
