Citation

Walsh TC. J. Offender Rehabil. 1997; 26(1-2): 125-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J076v26n01_08

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of psychopathy among an alcoholic offender population by utilizing the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), and to compare psychopathic and non-psychopathic alcoholics in relation to childhood history, demographic, alcohol dependence, violence, and suicide variables in order to determine how the groups differ, A sample of 128 alcoholic offenders (64 men and 64 women) incarcerated in the Massachusetts state prison system were interviewed and administered the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, the Alcohol Dependence Scale, and the PCL-R. Twenty percent of the alcoholic offenders could be classified as psychopaths according to PCL-R results. Psychopathic alcoholics were more alcohol dependent and engaged in more violent crimes. The PCL-R is thus a useful diagnostic tool to reduce the number of false positive ASPD diagnoses among acting out alcoholics. Psychopathic alcoholics require treatment aimed at reducing their severe alcohol dependence and explicitly at managing their propensity towards violence. © 1997 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en