Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale Research Articles

Impulsive and premeditated aggression in male offenders with antisocial personality disorder.

IntroductionAggression is a clinical symptom of various psychiatric disorders that can be conceptualised as a physical act towards another person with the intent to cause harm. In antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), aggression is a frequent manifestation that differently compromise therapeutic and prognostic goals according to its impulsive or premeditated categorisation. ASPD is characterised by high levels of impulsivity, psychopathic traits, and a high prevalence of co-morbid substance use disorders (SUDs). Aggression in ASPD patients may determine long and recurrent imprisonment thus representing a challenge clinicians and legal experts face.ObjectivesOur aims were to characterise impulsive and premeditated aggression in male ASPD offenders as well as to determine the potential role of SUDs, impulsivity, and psychopathic traits as predictors.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study we evaluated a sample of ASPD offenders with a battery of clinical and psychometric, standardised instruments: the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), the European Version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), and the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS).ResultsWe used a total sample of 134 offenders, all of whom were male. ASPD patients (n = 96) had a 71.9% prevalence of impulsive aggression and a 28.1% prevalence of premeditated aggression. ASPD patients with impulsive aggression had significantly lower scores of total PCL-R (p<0.01) factor 1 and interpersonal facet 1 (p<0.05), compared with ASPD patients with premeditated aggression. ASPD patients with impulsive aggression and ASPD patients with premeditated aggression had comparable BIS-11 mean scores, and exhibited an equal prevalence of SUDs. The interpersonal facet 1of the PCL-R predicted the aggression type (p<0.05) in ASPD patients, and the exponential beta value for facet 1 was 1.42 (CI = 1.03; 1.95).ConclusionsThe aggression type that is associated with ASPD is mainly impulsive in nature. ASPD patients who have higher scores of psychopathic traits have a lower probability of exhibiting impulsive aggression and a higher probability of exhibiting premeditated aggression. Although ASPD patients have high levels of impulsivity and a high frequency of SUDs, these two variables were not predictors of the aggression type.

Examining the relationships between impulsivity, aggression, and recidivism for prisoners with antisocial personality disorder

Abstract Impulsivity impacts multiple life domains and is related to criminal and problematic behaviors. In forensic contexts, impulsivity and aggression are often associated with psychiatric issues. Personality disorders are related to worse prognosis, increased relapse, and damage to relationships. The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of psychopathy, impulsivity, and aggression on recidivism, and to investigate the relationships between these dimensions in prisoners with and without Antisocial Personality Disorder. The forensic sample included inmates with (n = 50) or without Antisocial Personality Disorder (n = 50). We measured psychopathic traits with the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM), impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and aggression with the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS). There were significant between-group differences regarding premeditated aggression and attentional impulsivity. For inmates with antisocial personality disorder, impulsive aggression was related to recidivism (number of times in jail). Their level of psychopathy was related to premeditated aggression and motor impulsivity. Impulsive aggression, like attentional impulsivity, was related to recidivism only for inmates with antisocial personality disorder. In conclusion, psychopathy is associated with recidivism; moreover, impulsivity and aggression are central to recidivism for these individuals.

Psychometric properties of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale in Portuguese community and forensic samples.

Aggression can be defined according to impulsive or premeditated features. Impulsivity is defined as an uncontrolled and unplanned form of aggression. On the contrary, premeditation requires planning and is goal-oriented. The purpose of this study was to validate the basic psychometric properties of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) into European Portuguese. The scale evaluates aggression according to impulsive and premeditated features, which are considered the predominant forms of aggressive behavior, and can be used in community, forensic and clinical settings. Participants from a community sample (n = 957; 424 male) and incarcerated individuals (n = 115, all male) completed the IPAS. Internal consistency and reliability indicated that the scale has good psychometric properties in both samples. Data from a principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated similarities to previous structures reported in the literature. The scale demonstrated to be sensitive to the bimodal classification of aggression in community and forensic samples, indicating its utility in the characterization of aggressive patterns.

Testing the properties of the triarchic model of psychopathy in a community sample: Self-reported trait aggression and drug consumption associations.

The triarchic model of psychopathy encompasses different conceptions of psychopathic personality characterized by three phenotypic components: boldness, disinhibition, and meanness. Psychopathy is a complex construct at both emotional and behavioral level. The aim of this study was to determine the core elements of psychopathic personality in a community sample and analyze the relation between these elements and other personality traits such as aggression, and certain specific behavioral manifestations such as substance use. The study sample comprised 1,159 participants aged between 17 and 74years, who were administered the Triarchic Psychopathy Questionnaire, the Impulsive-Premeditated Aggression Scale, and the Aggression Questionnaire. The results show that the constructs of meanness and disinhibition are more highly associated with different forms of both impulsive and premeditated aggression. Furthermore, men scored higher on all three components of the triarchic model compared to women. Finally, higher substance use (tobacco and drugs) was associated with higher scores in meanness, boldness, and disinhibition. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing psychopathy in a community sample, and the detection of possible risk factors for the disorder.

Versatility and exploratory psychometric properties of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS): A review

Abstract Aggression has different conceptualizations and can be behaviorally expressed in diverse ways. Designed to evaluate impulsive and premeditated forms of aggression, the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS; Stanford et al., 2003) is a 30 item self-report questionnaire. The aim of the present study was to explore IPAS versatility in different psychological settings by reviewing and examining the exploratory psychometric properties of the IPAS impulsive and premeditated subscales, across different samples and cultural backgrounds. Fifty-two articles including demographic or psychometric information (internal consistency, factor analysis, validity, reliability) were retrieved. It is suggested that the IPAS is reliable across different cultures, samples and scoring techniques. The two subscales (Impulsive and Premeditated) show acceptable internal consistency. Also, IPAS factors seem to be constant both in clinical and non-clinical samples. The IPAS appears to be a clinically useful instrument for differentiating between subtypes of aggressive behavior, to support risk assessment evaluations, pretrial decisions and better treatment and rehabilitation strategies in offenders and clinical relevant samples.

A preliminary investigation of impulsivity, aggression and white matter in patients with bipolar disorder and a suicide attempt history

BackgroundImpulsivity and aggression may be associated with suicide attempts in bipolar disorder (BD), but findings have been inconsistent. Abnormalities in anterior white matter tracts that project to the frontal lobes mediate top-down regulation of emotion and may contribute to this clinical phenomenology. MethodsWe assessed white matter (i.e., fractional anisotropy) in anterior and posterior brain regions using diffusion tensor imaging in 18 patients with BD and no prior suicide attempt (BD-S), 12 patients with BD and a prior suicide attempt (BD+S), and 12 healthy volunteers. Patients completed the Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) Impulsive Behavior Scale and Impulsive Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS). All individuals completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). ResultsPatients with BD+S had higher overall impulsivity (assessed using both the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale and BIS-11) and premeditated aggression compared to patients with BD-S. There were no significant group differences on measures of fractional anisotropy (FA). In patients with BD+S, however, higher FA in the anterior (but not the posterior) brain regions correlated with greater overall impulsivity on the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. There were no significant correlations between either anterior or posterior brain regions with clinical measures in patients with BD-S. LimitationsCross-sectional study, sample size and possible contribution of psychotropic medications. ConclusionImpulsivity and aggression may be risk factors for a suicide attempt in BD. White matter in the anterior limb of the internal capsule and anterior corona radiata may play a role in this phenomenology.

A comparison of delayed discount and personality characteristics between male impulsive and premeditated prisoners

Objective To explore the delayed discount and personality characteristics of impulsive and premeditated male prisoners and their correlation. Methods A total of 120 male prisoners with aggressive behaviors were tested by Self-made General Situation Questionnaire, Impulsive / Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS), NEO Five-Factor Inventory(NEO-FFI), Delay Discount Task (DDT). The effective participants were ninety, including 51 in impulsive group and 39 in premeditated group. Analyzed the difference of delayed discount and personality characteristics between the two group. Results (1) In the delayed discount task, the delay discount rat(K) of the impulsive violence group (0.0278±0.0555) was significantly higher than that of the premeditated violence group (0.0042±0.0078). The difference was statistically significant (t=3.004, P=0.004). (2) The scores of agreeableness(35.84±4.08) and conscientiousness(37.04±4.83)in impulsive violence group were lower than that in premeditated violence group(38.46±5.53, 42.31±5.96), and the difference was statistically significant(t=-2.587, P=0.011; t=-4.634, P 0.05). Conclusion Male impulsive prisoners have faster tendency to delay discounting compared with male premeditated prisoners. Lower agreeableness and conscientiousness are the personality characteristics of male impulsive prisoners. Key words: Impulsivity; Premeditated; Delay discounting task; Personality

Lack of correspondence between the reactive proactive questionnaire and the impulsive premeditated aggression scale among forensic psychiatric outpatients.

The most studied bimodal classifications of aggressive behavior are the impulsive/premeditated distinction measured with the Impulsive Premeditated Aggression Scale and the reactive/proactive distinction measured with the Reactive Proactive Questionnaire. The terms of these classifications are often used interchangeably, assuming that reactive aggression is equivalent to impulsive aggression and that proactive aggressive behavior is the same as premeditated aggression. The correspondence or discrepancy between both aggression classifications/questionnaires, however, is understudied. Therefore, the current study investigated the correspondence between the RPQ and IPAS in a sample of 161 forensic psychiatric outpatients (FPOs) with severe aggressive behavior. Correlation analysis revealed a limited correspondence between the RPQ and IPAS. Cluster analyses derived three clusters from the RPQ as well as the IPAS: these clusters did not match in 60.3% of the cases. Furthermore, the notion that the RPQ measures trait aggression whereas the IPAS assesses state aggression could not be verified. The present study indicates that aggression subtypes as measured by use of the RPQ and IPAS correspond only partially and should not be used interchangeably. Furthermore, it was suggested that RPQ focuses more on actual aggressive behavior and the IPAS more on emotions and their regulation. Future research is needed to elucidate the applicability of both questionnaires in further detail.

Validation of the Portuguese Version of Impulsive-Premeditated Aggression Scale in an Inmate Population.

Aggression is one of the core symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with therapeutic and prognostic relevance. ASPD is highly prevalent among inmates, being responsible for adverse events and elevated direct and indirect economic costs for the criminal justice system. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) is a self-report instrument that characterizes aggression as either predominately impulsive or premeditated. This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the IPAS in a sample of Portuguese inmates. A total of 240 inmates were included in the study. A principal component factor analysis was performed so as to obtain the construct validity of the IPAS impulsive aggression (IA) and premeditated aggression (PM) subscales; internal consistency was determined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient; convergent and divergent validity of the subscales were determined analyzing correlations with the Barratt Impulsiveness scale, 11th version (BIS-11), and the Psychopathic Checklist Revised (PCL-R). The rotated matrix with two factors accounted for 49.9% of total variance. IA subscale had 11 items and PM subscale had 10 items. The IA and PM subscales had a good Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. The IA subscale is correlated with BIS-11 attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsiveness dimensions (p < 0.05). The PM subscale is correlated with BIS-11 attentional, motor impulsiveness dimensions (p < 0.05). The PM subscale is correlated with PCL-R interpersonal, lifestyle, and antisocial dimensions (p < 0.05). The IA subscale is not correlated with PCL-R. The Portuguese translated version of IPAS has adequate psychometric properties, allowing the measurement of impulsive and premeditated dimensions of aggression.

Evaluación psicológica de la agresividad impulsiva/predeterminada y factores asociados: Un estudio transversal en usuarios de los servicios de salud en Tabasco, México

Resumen Introducción. La conducta suicida es un problema de salud pública. Se sugiere que la personalidad impulsiva o predeterminada participa en los actos de agresividad como el suicidio. Objetivo. En este estudio se identificaron diferencias sociodemográficas, de intento de suicidio y la presencia de depresión entre individuos con característica de agresividad impulsiva o predeterminada. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de tipo transversal que incluyó a 200 residentes de Villahermosa, Tab, México, usuarios de los servicios de salud en ese Estado. La agresividad predeterminada o impulsiva se caracterizó usando la Escala de Agresión Impulsiva/Predeterminada (IPAS). Las características sociodemográficas, de intento de suicidio y de depresión fueron divididas de acuerdo al tipo de agresividad. Subsecuentemente fueron comparadas las características entre los dos grupos. Resultados. Los resultados psicológicos revelaron que la agresividad impulsiva está presente en 62.71 % de la población. Estar desempleado y ser mujer fueron asociadas con la agresividad predeterminada. De igual forma, la mayor proporción de personas con depresión se observó en el grupo de personas predeterminadas (χ2 = 18.29, gl = 1, p = 0.001). La proporción de personas con por lo menos un intento de suicidio a lo largo de la vida es similar en las impulsivas y las predeterminadas (6.06% y 6.30%, respectivamente). Discusión y conclusión. El presente estudio no muestra relación entre la personalidad y la proporción del intento de suicidio en los usuarios de los servicios de salud en Tabasco. Sin embargo, el estado de ánimo podría estar asociado con la toma de decisiones.

Validation of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale in Mexican psychiatric patients

Introduction: Aggression has been linked to several psychiatric disorders. None of the available instruments validated in Mexico is able to classify aggression as impulsive or premeditated. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) is a self-report instrument designed to characterize aggressiveness as predominately impulsive or premeditated. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the validity and reliability of the IPAS in a sample of Mexican psychiatric patients. Method: A total of 163 patients diagnosed with affective, anxiety or psychotic disorder were included. A principal-component factor analysis was performed to obtain construct validity of the IPAS impulsive and premeditated aggression subscales; convergent validity as well as internal consistency of subscales were also determined. Results: The rotated matrix accounted for 33.4% of the variance. Significant values were obtained for convergent validity and reliability of the IPAS subscales. Conclusion: The IPAS is an adequate instrument, which might be used to differentiate the type of aggressive behavior in Mexican psychiatric patients.

Narcissism and aggression in impulsive-premeditated violent criminals

Objective To explore the characteristics of narcissism in a sample of violent criminal and analyze the relationship between narcissism and impulsive-premeditated violent aggression. Methods A total of 88 violent criminal were administered by means of cluster random sampling with the Chinese version of the Impulsive-premeditated Aggression Scale and the Narcissistic Personality Questionnaire. Results (1)Comparing with the impulsive violent criminal, premeditated violent criminal had higher level of Overt narcissism, and the difference was statistically significant(59.77±10.89, 54.67±10.15; P<0.05). (2) Overt narcissism had significantly positive correlation with premeditated aggression(r=0.560; P<0.01); and covert narcissism had significantly positive correlation with impulsive aggression(r=0.440; P<0.01). (3)The authority and self-admiration traits of overt narcissism had significantly positive prediction to premeditated aggression(β=0.442, P<0.01; β=0.297, P<0.05); The vulnerability trait of covert narcissism has significantly positive prediction to impulsive aggression(β=0.526, P<0.01). Conclusion Overt narcissism can result in premeditated aggression; Covert narcissism can result in impulsive aggression. Key words: Overt narcissism; Covert narcissism; Impulsive aggression; Premeditated aggression

Psychometric Evaluation of the Dutch Version of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) in Male and Female Prisoners

Aggressive behavior is traditionally classified into two subtypes, impulsive and premeditated aggression. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) is a self-report questionnaire to measure a person's tendency towards these subtypes of aggressive behavior. This study reports on the psychometric quality of the Dutch translation of the IPAS in a sample of 149 male and 70 female prisoners in the Netherlands. Confirmatory Factor Analysis yielded two factors with an item composition quite similar to those found in previous studies: impulsive aggression, 17 items; premeditated aggression, 13 items. For both factors reliable subscales could be composed for males and females: impulsive aggression αmales = .92, αfemales = .94; premeditated aggression αmales = .90 and αfemales = .91. The subscales were highly correlated: r males = .70, r females = .75. It is concluded that the underlying structure of the Dutch version of the IPAS is similar to the original version of the questionnaire, that internal consistency of the two subscales is good, and that the correlation between the two subscales is higher than previously reported. Possible reasons for the high correlation of the subscales are discussed. Additional studies are needed to establish the construct and criterion/predictive validity of the IPAS in the forensic field.

Chinese Version of Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale: Validation and its Psychometric Properties

The purpose of this study was to validate the Chinese version of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS). Participants (N = 651) from three universities in Beijing, China filled in the IPAS, and a subsample (n = 290) also completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Principal component analyses and confirmatory factor analysis revealed reliable impulsive aggression (IA) and premeditated (PM) aggression factors of the IPAS. Concurrent and construct validity of IA and PM aggression were fair as shown in the correlation analyses with AQ, BIS, and CTQ. This study validated the bimodal classification of aggression in a Chinese university student sample. The significance and implications of this study are discussed.

Control study of Stroop test of male juvenile delinquents with aggressive behaviors

Objective To explore the characteristic and difference of the executive function of the premeditated group and attack group of male juvenile delinquents by the Stroop test. Methods 123 male juvenile delinquents and 128 normal controls were examined by a general information questionnaire, the Stroop test of the Chinese version and impulsive premeditated aggression scale (IPAS). SPSS17.0 statistical software used to analysis the survey results. Results (1)By Stroop test the premeditated group and impulsive group of juvenile delinquents was found that correct number of test 3(109.97±1.87), errors number of test 4(4.45±4.84), amend number of test 1 and test 4(1.18±1.50; 1.50±1.59), and completion time of test 4 (143.74±28.36)had statistically significant (P<0.05), the others had no significant difference between the two groups. (2) The premeditated group of juvenile delinquents and normal adolescents in Stroop test comparison was statistically significant in completion time of test 1, test 2 (56.49±14.90; 88.31±20.02)(P <0.05). The impulse group of the juvenile delinquents and normal adolescents was statistically significant in the correct number of test 2 to test 4(107.20±3.39; 109.97±1.87; 102.47±5.62), errors number of test 2(1.86±2.27), amends number of test 3(1.50±1.59), and completion time of test 1 to test 4(59.96±11.08; 92.03±20.87; 62.77±12.31; 143.74±28.36)(P<0.05). The others of two groups were no significant difference. Conclusion It is found that juvenile delinquents exist defects of executive function, and perform functional defects in the attack group of juvenile delinquents is more obviously. Key words: Male delinquent adolescents; Stroop test; Aggressive behavior; Executive function

Comparison of Impulsive and Premeditated Female Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

A bimodal classification of aggression has been shown to be useful among male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV; Stanford, Houston, &amp; Baldridge, 2008). To extend this research, this study attempts to replicate this result in a female population. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) was used to classify (N = 87) females who were convicted of domestic violence and court ordered into an intervention program as being predominately impulsive–aggressive (IA) or predominately premeditated–aggressive (PM). The results of this study demonstrate that female IPV perpetrators (both IA and PM) tend to be similar to male IA batterers, with low psychopathic traits and higher levels of psychopathology. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Correspondence of aggressive behavior classifications among young adults using the Impulsive Premeditated Aggression Scale and the Reactive Proactive Questionnaire

The two most studied bimodal classifications of aggressive behavior are impulsive/premeditated and reactive/proactive aggression. Despite differences in the conceptualization of these classifications and the primary use of each in different developmental phases, the two classifications are often used interchangeably. The purpose of the current study was to determine the correspondence of the two classification schemes in a sample of young adults ( N = 250) using two validated measures: the Reactive Proactive Questionnaire ( Raine et al., 2006) and the Impulsive Premeditated Aggression Scale ( Stanford et al., 2003). Convergent and discriminant validity of the scales was partially supported. Clusters derived from each scale corresponded for 38% of the cases. When the scales were used together, six subtype categories were identified, such that low, impulsive, and premeditated components were found for reactive and proactive aggressors. The six categories differed significantly on measures of aggression, anger, and hostility. Thus, the measures, and potentially the classifications, complemented but did not correspond to each other. These results suggest that the two classification systems may not be equivalent and should not be used interchangeably.

Comparison of impulsive and premeditated perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Violence occurs in four to five million intimate relationships each year in the United States. Past research has investigated the concept of batterer subtypes based on the nature of the violent behavior. To extend this research, the present study used the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) along with a battery of relevant self-report measures in a sample of men (N = 113) convicted of domestic violence and court ordered into an intervention program. Batterers whose violence was classified as premeditated scored higher on psychopathic traits and a measure of treatment rejection. Batterers whose violence was classified as impulsive in nature reported a wider range of serious psychopathology. It is suggested that the use of a bimodal classification (Impulsive/Premeditated) in batterers may have significant clinical and legal policy implications.

Validation of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale in College Students

ABSTRACT Impulsive (IA) and premeditated (PM) aggression reflect functions of aggressive behavior that may have differential correlates and clinical utility. The purpose of this study was to extend the use of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) for characterizing aggression in a college student sample. Three hundred forty students completed the IPAS, Buss and Perry's (1992) Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), and measures of childhood maltreatment and negative life events. Principal components analyses supported reliable IA and PM factors. The degree of IA was significantly higher than that of PM. Convergent validity for the IA scale was supported with significant relationships with certain AQ scales. Implications for studying aggressive functions in this age group may inform violence prevention and treatment on college campuses.

Reliability of the Impulsive–Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) in treated opiate-dependent individuals

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the Impulsive Aggression (IA) and Premeditated Aggression (PM) scales of the Impulsive–Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) in male and female substance-dependent patients, and to compare the findings to those obtained on widely used, validated measures of aggression. Using a sample of 121 patients (61 women) in methadone maintenance treatment, 69 (35 women) of which were re-evaluated after a minimum of 2 weeks, the IPAS scales showed acceptable internal consistency ( α > .72) and test–retest reliability (ICC > .54). These results were comparable to the other aggression measures, and results among women were comparable to men. This was the first study to examine the IPAS scales in a substance use population, to contain a sufficient sample of women for sub-analyses, and to examine the stability of the measure. Findings support the internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the IPAS in male and female opiate-dependent individuals.