Here are summaries and quick links to the latest research in 2007 on Antisocial PD and Psychopathy.

What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

APD is a psychological personality disorder characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses and manipulative behaviors. This disorder is sometimes also referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy, however, Antisocial Personality Disorder is the clinical terminology used for diagnosis (APA 2000).

The following is a list of quick links to articles summarizing recent research examining different aspects of psychopathic and antisocial behavior.

Quick Links to New Research on APD

Early Signs of Psychopathy

A twenty-five year study, published this month in The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, demonstrates that, as early as the age of three, there are temperamental and physiological difference between those who show psychopathic tendencies as adults and those who don’t.

Antisocial Children

A study of twins, published in June 2005 issue of the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, revealed that anti-social behavior is strongly inherited in children with psychopathic tendencies such as callousness and reduced emotional capacity.

The Antisocial Brain & Violence

Naryan et al (2007) have completed the first study of the relationship between violence and brain structure in Antisocial Personality Disorder and schizophrenia, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and found that violent individuals with APD do have significant anomalies in brain structure.

Medication, Self-destruction & PDs

Although those with APD are known to attempt suicide, these attempts rarely result in death. There have been no studies of the rate of suicide of those with APD, but nonnatural mortality (death from suicide, accidents, and homicide) is higher in this group. Criminal offenders diagnosed with a personality disorder have a 5-year suicide rate of three percent.

More Information on Antisocial PD

Additional resources on psychopathy and personality disorders in general include the Suite101 Antisocial Personality Article Series, the the website Psychology Prof Online, and the article Overview of Personality Disorders.

This Suite 101 article summarizes recent research on APD and psychopathy. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (1994 & 2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Cardish, R. J. (2007) Psychopharmacologic Management of Suicidality in Personality Disorders. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52, 6.

Glenn, A. L. et al (2007) Early Temperamental and Psychophysiological Precursors of Adult Psychopathic Personality. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 116.

Narayan, V.M., Narr, K.L., Kamuri, V., Woods, R.P. et al. (2007) Regional Cortical Thinning in Subjects With Violent Antisocial Personality Disorder or Schizophrenia. The Am J of Psychiatry, 164, 9.

Viding, E., James R., Blair, R., Moffitt, T. E., Plomin, R. (2005). Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-olds. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46, 6.