Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychopathic Features Among Juvenile Offenders: Does it Matter Which Traits?

• Author: Lindamarie Olson,Michael G. Vaughn
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211049200
• Published date: 01 February 2023
• Date: 01 February 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211049200

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(2-3) 184 –206

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X211049200

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Article

Traumatic Brain Injury

and Psychopathic Features

Among Juvenile Offenders:

Does it Matter Which Traits?

Lindamarie Olson1 and Michael G. Vaughn2

Abstract

Psychopathic traits and a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common among

imprisoned individuals. Although previous research has examined correlates of TBI

among juvenile offenders, little research has explored the relationship between

psychopathic traits and TBI among this population. Study objectives included: (1)

examine the association between the history of a TBI and psychopathic traits among

juvenile offenders and (2) determine if the history of a TBI predicts the manifestation

of different psychopathic factors among juvenile offenders. Cross-sectional data from

the Multidimensional Youth Residential Inventory consisted of 226 juvenile offenders.

Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results of linear regression

analyses showed that history of a TBI significantly predicted callous unemotional

and impulsive irresponsible traits. Clinical implications suggest early intervention is

needed to treat the potential long-term effects of TBIs and the development of

psychopathic traits. Recommendations for further research are discussed.

Keywords

psychopathic traits, juvenile offenders, traumatic brain injury (TBI), delinquency,

adolescence

Introduction

Both psychopathy and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are prevalent among youth in the

juvenile justice system and can have detrimental effects on the social and emotional

1University of Houston, TX, USA

2St. Louis University, MO, USA

Corresponding Author:

Lindamarie Olson, University of Houston, 3511 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77004, USA.

Email: leolson@uh.edu

1049200IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X211049200International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyOlson and Vaughn

research-article2021

Olson and Vaughn 185

functioning of individuals (Hux et al., 1998; Muñoz et al., 2019; Perron & Howard,

2008; Vaughn et al., 2014). The relationship between psychopathy and TBI warrants

further investigation, yet there is relatively little study of their relationship to one

another and whether specific psychopathic traits are more strongly associated with

TBI. Many of the same brain areas implicated in psychopathy are also implicated in

mild to severe TBIs. Based on the neurobiological view of psychopathy and the plas-

ticity of the developing brain, there are important treatment implications for studying

the co-occurrence of psychopathy and TBIs. For example, these interventions can be

adapted within the context of the juvenile justice system and provide rehabilitation and

recovery that may prevent the long-term negative effects of both psychopathy and

TBIs. Given this research context, the present study reviews the literature on these

important constructs and sets the stage for an empirical examination that will shed

light on the differential relations between TBI and specific psychopathic features.

Psychopathic Traits

Psychopathy has been defined as a “socially devastating disorder defined by a constel-

lation of affective, interpersonal and behavioral characteristics, including egocentric-

ity; impulsivity; irresponsibility; shallow emotions; lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse;

pathological lying; manipulativeness; and the persistent violation of social norms and

expectations” (Hare, 1996, p. 25). Psychopathy is heterogeneous in nature and can

manifest in various ways across individuals (Brinkley et al., 2004; Skeem et al., 2003).

Modern conceptualizations of psychopathy often describe the disorder having three

main dimensions: interpersonal, affective, and behavioral (Hare & Neumann, 2008).

Psychopathy is often hard to treat and there is currently a lack of interventions for

psychopathy among both adolescents and adults (Muñoz et al., 2019).

Although psychopathy is often diagnosed in early adulthood, psychopathic traits

can manifest in adolescence (Muñoz et al., 2019). Research has provided evidence that

early identification and intervention can be effective in reducing the long-term effects

of psychopathy (Forth & Mailloux, 2000). Developing and testing interventions is

important as individuals with psychopathic traits often have interactions with the crim-

inal justice system (Coid et al., 2009; Kiehl & Hoffman, 2010).

Neurobiological View of Psychopathy

The causal origins of psychopathy are not established, with research suggesting the

etiological heterogeneity of the disorder (Brinkley et al., 2004; Frazier et al., 2019;

Maung, 2021). Much like other behavioral and personality phenotypes, prior research

indicates a substantial genetic component to psychopathy (Beaver et al., 2011;

Bezdjian et al., 2011; Larsson et al., 2006). A meta-analysis of 10 studies showed that

genetic factors explained 49% of the variance in psychopathy (Waldman & Rhee,

2006), indicating the important, yet partial influence of genetics on psychopathy.

Additional research supports the interaction of genetic factors with environmental fac-

tors in the explanation of the variance of psychopathy (Beaver et al., 2011; Moffitt,