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Risk reduction treatment of psychopathy and applications to mentally disordered offenders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2015

Stephen C. P. Wong  and
Mark E. Olver
Stephen C. P. Wong*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Mark E. Olver
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
*
*Address for correspondence: Stephen Wong, University of Saskatchewan–Psychology, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A5, Canada. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Therapeutic nihilism on treating psychopathy is widespread and is largely based on many outdated and poorly designed studies. Important recent advances have been made in assessing psychopathy and recidivism risks, as well as in offender rehabilitation to reduce reoffending, all of which are now well supported by a considerable literature based on credible empirical research. A 2-component model to guide risk reduction treatment of psychopathy has been proposed based on the integration of key points from the 3 bodies of literature. Treatment programs in line with the model have been in operation, and the results of early outcome evaluations are encouraging. Important advances also have been made in understanding the possible etiology of mentally disordered offenders with schizophrenia and history of criminality and violence, some with significant features of psychopathy. This article presents a review of recent research on risk reduction treatment of psychopathy with the additional aim to extend the research to the treatment of mentally disordered offenders with schizophrenia, violence, and psychopathy.

Keywords

Assessmentmental disorderoffenderpsychopathyriskschizophreniatreatmentviolence
Type
Review Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 20 , Special Issue 3: Violence in the Psychiatric Setting , June 2015 , pp. 303 - 310
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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