Trait anger and aggression among male violent offenders: The mediating effect of sadistic impulse and the moderating effect of emotion regulation

Abstract

We investigated the mediating role of sadistic impulse and the moderating role of emotion regulation strategy in the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behaviour in violent offenders. A total of 492 male violent offenders (mean age = 34.06 years, SD = 6.67 years) completed the Trait Anger Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Short Sadistic Impulse Scale, and Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale. We tested a moderated mediation model by multiple linear regression analysis (Bootstrap n = 5 000). The results showed that sadistic impulse mediated the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behaviour in violent offenders. Higher level of sadistic impulse was associated with a higher likelihood of aggressive behaviour. Emotion regulation strategy moderated the relationship between trait anger and aggressive behaviour. Specifically, those with lower emotional regulation were more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour compared to those with higher emotional regulation. The mediated moderation model applied to both impulsive and premeditated aggression. In the low emotion regulation group, the mediating effects of trait anger on impulsive and premeditated aggression were significant. In the high emotion regulation group, the mediating effects of trait anger on impulsive and premeditated aggression were lower, but still significant. Our findings are consistent with the emotion regulation theory of aggression stating that people with sadism may assault others to improve their mood.