Impulsive-Aggression, Antisocial Behaviour and Subclinical Psychopathy: Preliminary Findings From an Undergraduate Female Sample

Abstract

Impulsive-aggression was investigated in a female university sample (N = 686). Four groups (impulsive-aggressive, n = 23; aggressive, n = 24; impulsive, n = 33; and control, n = 119) were selected on the basis of impulsivity scores and aggression scores. In comparison to other groups, the impulsive-aggressive women were more physically aggressive and had a greater tendency to fight or argue. They were also more likely to report a drug problem, were more sexually active, and were more likely to have faced charges as a result of antisocial activity. Due to prominent antisocial features of the impulsive-aggressive women's profile, subsequent investigation of psychopathic traits was conducted. Women from the impulsive-aggressive (n = 11), aggressive (n = 9), impulsive (n = 7), and control (n = 11) groups were individually interviewed and rated using the P-Scan (Hare & Herve, 1999). The impulsive-aggressive group (M = 6.33, SD = 3.48) scored significantly higher than all other groups (Ms < 1.70, SDs < 1.90) on total P-Scan psychopathy ratings and on the three facets of the P-Scan. Current findings suggest the use of self-report measures of impulsivity and aggressiveness may be an effective method of screening for subthreshold psychopathic traits in non-forensic samples.