Approach/avoidance personality traits as predictors of psychopathology in convicted offenders
Journal
Psihologija
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
DOI
10.2298/psi180130030n
Abstract
This study examined the role of approach and avoidance personality traits as temperamental risk
factors for psychopathology using the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory as theoretical
framework. Self-report measures were administered to male convicted offenders (N = 162) and
controls matched for age, education, and ethnicity (N = 162). The results show higher approach
and passive avoidance tendencies in the forensic sample, as well as higher psychological distress
relative to controls. In the forensic sample, both approach and avoidance traits can account
for a high degree of psychopathology vulnerability. However, higher behavioral inhibition
system sensitivity is the primary risk factor both for general distress and various dimensions
of psychopathology, while lower behavioral approach system sensitivity predicts internalizing
psychopathology, paranoid, and psychoticism symptoms. The findings are discussed both in
the general context of personality-psychopathology links, as well as in the forensic context of
potential mental health interventions as part of rehabilitation prison programs.
factors for psychopathology using the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory as theoretical
framework. Self-report measures were administered to male convicted offenders (N = 162) and
controls matched for age, education, and ethnicity (N = 162). The results show higher approach
and passive avoidance tendencies in the forensic sample, as well as higher psychological distress
relative to controls. In the forensic sample, both approach and avoidance traits can account
for a high degree of psychopathology vulnerability. However, higher behavioral inhibition
system sensitivity is the primary risk factor both for general distress and various dimensions
of psychopathology, while lower behavioral approach system sensitivity predicts internalizing
psychopathology, paranoid, and psychoticism symptoms. The findings are discussed both in
the general context of personality-psychopathology links, as well as in the forensic context of
potential mental health interventions as part of rehabilitation prison programs.
Subjects