Are there age-related effects in antisocial personality disorders and psychopathy?

ABSTRACT

We investigated possible age differences in the frequency of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and of psychopathy according to Hare's criteria and its constituent features In a cross-sectional study 226 male violent offenders, detained in adult or youth custody, were investigated using the Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version (PCLSV) and the SCID II Interview. Their ages ranged from 18 to 59 years. Total PCLSV score was negatively correlated with age. ANOVA showed that total PCL scores for three age groups differed significantly. Both effects were due entirely to Factor 2 of the PCL. Factor 1 was not related to age. The frequency of ASPD was also lower among older prisoners. The relationship with age was similar to that of PCLSV Factor 2. These results point to age-related effects in psychopathy and suggest that different aspects of psychopathy follow different developmental courses. The results of our group comparison suggest that the different subfacets of psychopathy are not stable over time to the same extent. In order to make statements about the course of intraindividual development, however, longitudinal studies would be required.