Attitudes of police officers toward offenders: implications for future training

Purpose Police officers’ attitudes toward criminals are critical to the justice system’s response to crime. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the attitudes toward offenders (ATOs) among police officers.Design/methodology/approach To assess police officers ATOs, the authors adapted the Attitudes Toward Prisoner scale to produce the ATO scale. The scale was completed by 431 male police officers in a Portuguese police institution.Findings The results revealed that police officers hold more negative ATOs than correctional officers and graduate students. Moreover, the results revealed significant differences in average ATO scores according to police officers’ age, years of service, marital status and education; namely, police officers who were older, married, less educated, and with more years of police service had more positive ATOs. However, the results revealed that these demographic factors had a limited value in predicting attitudes, as none of them emerged as a predictor of ATOs.Originality/value Nonetheless, considering the relevance of attitudes in law enforcement procedures, the implications for training police officers are provided, specifically using critical incident technique strategies.This study was conducted at Psychology Research Centre UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). The study was also supported by Grant SFRH/BD/66110/2009 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology awarded to the first author

Psychopathy and intimate partner violence

"First published online: January 24, 2018"Several studies found that psychopathy is an important predictor of criminal behavior in general and of intimate partner violence in particular. However, these conclusions are often based on scales with less well-established validity, and some inconsistent results have emerged with regard to the contribution of specific psychopathic facets to intimate partner violence. In a sample of 152 batterers from Portugal aged between 22 and 70 years old, we examined whether Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) total scores and the four facets (scored based on a semistructured interview and on file information) predicted the frequency of intimate partner violence. Two separate linear regression analyses were conducted controlling for criminal variables. PCL-R total scores positively predicted intimate partner violence frequency, above and beyond the criminal variables. As for the four facets, only the PCL-R affective facet held a significant effect in predicting intimate partner violence frequency after controlling for criminal variables. These results support the inclusion of psychopathy in risk assessments and treatment of perpetrators of intimate partner violence, particularly with regard to the affective deficits of the construct.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was conducted at Psychology Research Center (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 partnership agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). The study was also supported by Grant SFRH/BD/66110/2009 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology awarded to the first author

Emotions, affections, and psychopathy among female prisoners

The present study intends to be a contribution to understand affections and emotions associated with female psychopathy. Although there are several studies aiming to understand psychopathy, there is still a gap in the integration of such a concept in affective dimensions, as well as a scarcity of surveys conducted in the female population. Sixty-three women confined to prison, located in the North region of Portugal, participated in this study. Participants were assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Levenson’s Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), and the Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R). Results showed that only nine women presented moderate scores of psychopathy. Moreover, women with higher psychopathy scores revealed deficits in positive emotional abilities, and secondary psychopathy was related with predominance of negative affection. In the future, it would be useful to develop more effective instruments to assess emotions and affections in psychopaths.The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

Motivational interview techniques and the effectiveness of intervention programs with perpetrators of intimate partner violence: a systematic review

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a severe public health issue. Perpetrators’ Intervention Programs (PIPs) have been essential to prevent recidivism, and the incorporation of Motivational Interview Techniques (MIT) has shown to be an added value in this area. Objective: The present systematic review aims to analyze the incorporation of MIT (i.e., pre-treatment, isolated treatment, and conjoined with PIPs) in interventions with IPV perpetrators and its potential impact on their behavior and attitudes regarding motivation for change and treatment compliance. Method: The following research equation was used: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND (“Perpetrator” OR “Batterer” OR “Offender”) AND (“Motivation” OR “Motivational Interview”) AND (“Intervention” OR “Intervention Program” OR “Batterer Intervention Program”) AND (“Effectiveness OR “Program Effectiveness”); in four separate databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and EBSCO. Studies in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were included, and 15 were identified according to the defined inclusion criteria. Results: Studies demonstrated that MIT increases attendance rates, treatment adherence, motivation for change, and behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. More specifically, MIT showed greater effectiveness among participants with low readiness to change and in the early stages of change. Conclusion: This systematic review corroborates the importance of incorporating MIT in PIPs to improve intervention efficacy.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: “This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (Ref: UIDB/PSI/01662/2020).

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) factor structure in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is the gold standard for assessing psychopathy. However, its factorial structure has been subject of debate, and different factor models have been proposed. Furthermore, research has not focused on the PCL-R factorial structure among intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. We analyzed and compared the fit of nine alternative models of PCL-R among a sample of 242 IPV perpetrators. Results revealed PCL-R has adequate factor validity. The three-factor model without testlets provided the best fit to the current data. The three-factor model also showed good reliability, and the factors established differential associations to penal and personal variables thus revealing discriminant validity. In the current study, psychopathy was thus best conceptualized as a clinical construct comprising a particular affective functioning (e.g., shallow affect, lack of empathy), and a specific interpersonal (e.g., egocentricity, deception) and behavioral style (e.g., irresponsibility, impulsivity) among IPV perpetrators.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007653). The study was also supported by Grant SFRH/ BD/66110/200

Effectiveness of the motivational interviewing techniques with perpetrators of intimate partner violence: a non-randomized clinical trial

The effectiveness of perpetrators’ intervention programs (PIPs) remains controversial. Readiness and motivation for change are associated with treatment success among intimate partner vio-lence (IPV) perpetrators. In this study, we aimed to verify whether adding Motivational Interviewing Techniques (MIT) during the intake phase of a standard PIP (SPIP) increases treatment adher-ence. We also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the MIT plus SPIP concerning an SPIP alone. In this non-randomized clinical trial, 50 participants were assigned to one of the two conditions SPIP alone or MIT plus SPIP. Data were collected at baseline and the end of the intervention. Proximal outcomes (dropout, inter-vention dose, motivation, attitudes toward IPV, problem-solving skills) and final outcomes (IPV perpetration, risk of IPV) were assessed. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) was also computed. Results indicated that SPIP plus MIT participants concluded the curriculum in a more advanced stage of change, revealed more readiness to change, evidenced greater clinical improvements, and displayed higher reductions in attitudes toward IPV, IPV perpetration, and recidivism risk than SPIP participants. These findings point to MIT’s ability to promote readiness to change and progression into the stages of change, enhancing interven-tion efficacy with IPV perpetrators. (NCT05484440)This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (Ref.: UIDB/PSI/01662/2020). This study was also funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education), under the grant UIDB/05380/2020. The work was also supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [SFRH/ BD/66110/2009]

Perpetration of intimate partner violence and COVID-19-related anxiety during the second lockdown in Portugal: the mediating role of anxiety, depression, and stress

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to confdentiality of the data but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.The restrictions imposed during lockdown by COVID-19 pandemic entailed increased risks for the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Widespread fear and uncertainty related to the virus and the policies adopted to contain it have been linked to a set of social, emotional, and economic stressors that can increase the risk of IPV. The present study aims to assess the association between COVID-19-related anxiety, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), and IPV perpetration in the community, as well as to assess the mediating role of psychological distress and depression, anxiety, and stress in the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and the perpetration of IPV. Methods A sample of 336 participants (282 females, Mage = 34.91, SD = 11.72) was recruited from the Portuguese population through an online self-report questionnaire, completed after the second lockdown (from April and July 2021). Results High rates of IPV perpetration during the confinement, in particular psychological and physical IPV, were found. COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) were related to higher levels of IPV perpetration. Psychological distress and stress mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and total IPV perpetration and psychological distress and depression mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological IPV perpetration. Conclusions This study highlights the mediating role of psychological distress on IPV perpetration. Practical implications for intervention policies in IPV perpetration will be discussed.This work was conducted at HEI-Lab: Digital Human–Environment Interaction Lab, Lusófona University, and supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT (Portuguese Minis try of Science, Technology and Higher Education), under the grant UIDB/05380/2020

The impact of na intervention program on abusive intimate behaviors, self‑esteem, and self‑concept of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Objectives This study examines the effectiveness of a multimodal perpetrator intervention program (PIP) on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators’ self-reported abusive behaviors, self-esteem, and self-concept. Methods A sample of 53 male IPV perpetrators, both court- and self-referred to a community-based PIP, were assigned to one of two conditions: intervention condition (IC; n = 38) and waiting list control condition (WLCC; n = 15). Data on self-reported intimate violence, self-esteem, and self-concept were collected at baseline, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) was also computed. Results A considerable percentage of IC participants end or substantially reduce their abusive behavior (reoffending self-reported rates were 10.7% at post-treatment and 12.5% at follow-up). IC participants increase self-esteem and self-concept. Changes were maintained at follow-up. Significant differences were found between the groups, with IC participants reporting reductions in abusive behaviors, scoring higher on selfesteem and self-concept, and revealing greater clinical changes than WLCC participants. Conclusions These findings suggest that multimodal interventions improve self-esteem and self-concept and reduce IPV perpetration.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(SFRH/BD/66110/2009

The impact of imprisonment on individuals’ mental health and society reintegration: study protocol

Background Prison sentences are a particular type of penalty that aim to reintegrate individuals into society. Nonetheless, research suggests that prison sentences have a null or a criminogenic effect on recidivism and a critical impact on inmates’ mental health, negatively interfering with their successful reintegration into society and recidivism. Prevalence rates of mental health disorders among individuals who commit crimes are high, but little is known about how incarceration perpetuates and/or worsens mental health symptoms. In the Portuguese context, no studies focused on understanding the impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ mental health. Thus, this project aims to understand incarceration’s mental health and well-being impact on male and female individuals convicted to prison, both while incarcerated and after release. Methods The study will follow a quantitative cross-sectional design of male and female individuals in prison and parole, aiming to assess different samples at different moments of the prison sentence. It will also follow a longitudinal design in a subsample of male and female individuals sentenced to prison and on parole who will be followed for one year. Discussion This study intends to have a meaningful impact on the understanding of imprisonment effects, giving important clues for developing and implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to address prisoners’ and ex-prisoners’ mental health and improve their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism.This work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education), under the grant UIDB/05380/2020

Perpetrators of intimate partner violence: from characterization to intervention

Tese de doutoramento do Programa Doutoral em Psicologia (ramo de conhecimento em Psicologia da Justiça)A violência em relações de intimidade tem suscitado, nas últimas décadas, um enorme interesse por parte da comunidade científica. Atualmente, o conhecimento em torno deste fenómeno é já extenso, sendo possível identificar inúmeros estudos centrados nesta temática. Apesar da vasta atenção que a violência na intimidade tem merecido, no contexto nacional o estudo do perpetrador mantem-se ainda muito incipiente. De facto, a revisão da literatura nacional revela-nos que o interesse científico no perpetrador de violência em relações íntimas surgiu bastante mais tardiamente, sendo a nossa produção científica parca e restrita a pequenos grupos de trabalho. Estas lacunas foram percetíveis não só ao nível da sua caracterização como também no que respeita à sua reabilitação. Atendendo a estas lacunas, neste trabalho procurou-se caracterizar o perpetrador de violência em relações de intimidade, ao nível dos comportamentos violentos perpetrados (dentro e fora da relação íntima), da personalidade, psicopatologia e agressividade. Em paralelo, interessou-nos compreender quais os fatores preditores quer da frequência quer da severidade da violência. Foi, ainda, nosso propósito construir, implementar e avaliar a eficácia de um programa de intervenção para perpetradores de violência na intimidade em contexto prisional e ambulatório. Por fim, procurou-se compreender e refletir sobre a experiência subjetiva dos perpetradores acerca da intervenção, bem como conhecer e descrever o processo de construção da mudança. No primeiro estudo foram avaliados 187 indivíduos condenados e/ou sinalizados pela prática de crimes contra uma parceira ou ex-parceira íntima, 76 na comunidade e 111 em estabelecimento prisional. Da análise resultou que cerca de metade dos indivíduos apresentava consumos excessivos de álcool, experiencias de vitimização e exposição a violência interparental na infância e adolescência. Cerca de um quarto evidenciou sintomas psicopatológicos e menos de um quinto evidenciou traços de agressividade. Os comportamentos mais frequentes foram os denominados de “violência menor” (e.g. insultos, bofetadas) e a maioria dos sujeitos dirigiu a sua violência maioritariamente à parceira, sendo que apenas um terço destes se envolveu em atos de violência extrafamiliar. Os dados permitiram ainda identificar dois subgrupos: perpetradores institucionalizados e perpetradores na comunidade; e perpetradores de violência severa e perpetradores de violência menos severa. Estes grupos distinguiram-se essencialmente ao nível da violência perpetrada, sendo os perpetradores institucionalizados e os perpetradores de violência menos severa os que evidenciaram mais comportamentos de violência familiar e extrafamiliar. Por último, verificou-se que a violência íntima anterior, o uso de objetos, os traços de psicopatia do perpetrador e o nível socioeconómico baixo surgiram como importantes preditores da frequência da violência; e a separação, o uso de armas e o estatuto socioeconómico elevado apresentam-se como preditores da severidade da violência. No segundo e terceiros estudos construiu-se, implementou-se e avaliou-se a eficácia de um programa de intervenção com perpetradores de violência na intimidade. No programa participaram 21 indivíduos da comunidade e 7 institucionalizados, tendo-o finalizado com sucesso 16 indivíduos da comunidade e 4 institucionalizados. No grupo comunitário, verificaram-se reduções significativas no risco de violência conjugal, na violência física e psicológica, nas atitudes legitimadoras da violência conjugal, na agressividade e na sintomatologia psicopatológica. Ademais, observou-se um incremento significativo na autoestima, autoconceito e resolução de problemas. As mudanças foram mantidas no período de follow-up a 6 meses. Quando comparados com os indivíduos do grupo de comparação os resultados do grupo comunitário revelaram-se significativamente superiores. Por seu turno, os participantes do grupo institucionalizado não revelaram mudanças significativas. No último estudo, que consistiu na análise de entrevistas realizadas aos 16 indivíduos da comunidade que concluíram com sucesso o programa de intervenção, procurou-se aprofundar o conhecimento sobre os significados decorrentes da experiência de participação em intervenção e compreender o processo de mudança. Através da Grounded Analysis, emergiram três categorias centrais das narrativas dos participantes: (1) experiência em intervenção psicoterapêutica (expectativas pré-intervenção e reflexões sobre o processo psicoterapêutico); (2) mudanças em intervenção psicoterapêutica (reflexões acerca das mudanças, emergência de novas competências e desempenhos alternativos ao problema, reconhecimento de vulnerabilidades individuais após intervenção); e (3) facilitadores da mudança (grupo como suporte à mudança, intervenção/aprendizagens adquiridas, investimento individual, outros significativos, mudanças da companheira e figura do facilitador/dinamizador). Partindo de uma análise integrativa destes dados, desenvolvemos um modelo teórico com vista a aprofundar o conhecimento acerca do processo de mudança em indivíduos submetidos a intervenção direcionada para a problemática da violência íntima. A presente dissertação reflete a natureza complexa e multideterminada da violência em relações de intimidade, bem como a premência e necessidade de atuação junto do perpetrador de violência, sendo discutidas no final deste trabalho algumas das implicações para a prática profissional e empírica decorrentes dos resultados obtidos.Intimate partner violence has raised, in the last decades, a huge interest by the scientific community. Presently, the knowledge about this phenomenon is already extensive and is possible to identify numerous studies on this topic. Although a high attention is being given to intimate partner violence in the national context, studies focused on the perpetrator remain very incipient. Actually, the revision of national literature shows that the scientific interest on the perpetrator of intimate partner violence emerged quite late, being our scientific production scarce and restricted to small work groups. These shortcomings have been identified not only in terms of their characterization but also regarding rehabilitation. Given these gaps, this study sought to characterize the perpetrator of intimate partner violence, in terms of violent behaviors perpetrated (inside and outside the relationship), personality, psychopathy and aggressiveness. At the same time, we became interested in understanding what were the predictive factors of violence frequency and severity. It was also our purpose to build, implement and assess the effectiveness of an intervention program for perpetrators of intimate partner violence in the community and in prison. At last, we tried to understand and reflect about the perpetrators subjective experience about intervention, as well as identify and describe the change construction process. In the first study 187 subjects condemned and/or signalized by intimate partner violence against an intimate partner or ex-partner were assessed, 76 in community and 111 in prison. The analysis showed that about half of the subjects presented alcohol abuse, victimization experiences and exposure to interparental violence during childhood and adolescence. About a quarter of the individuals had psychopathology and less than one fifth had aggressiveness traits. The most frequent behaviors were those termed as "minor violence" behaviors (e.g. insults, slaps) and the most part of the subjects directed their violence toward the partner, and only one third of those engaged in acts of violence outside the family. Data allowed us to identify two groups: perpetrators institutionalized and perpetrators in the community; and perpetrators of severe violence and perpetrators of less severe violence. These groups distinguished themselves mainly in terms of violence level, being the institutionalized perpetrators and the perpetrators of less severe violence those who showed more behaviors of intra and extra familial violence. At last, previous intimate partner violence, the use of objects, psychopatic traits and low socioeconomic level appeared as the most important predictors of intimate partner violence frequency; and separation, use of weapons and high socioeconomic status appeared as predictors of intimate partner violence severity. In the second and third studies an intervention program with perpetrators of intimate partner violence was built and implemented, and its effectiveness was assessed. In the program participated 21 subjects from the community and 7 individuals from prison. Among them, 16 individuals from community and 4 individuals from prison finished the intervention successfully. The community group showed a significant reduction in spouse abuse risk, physical and psychological violence, attitudes toward domestic violence, aggression and psychopathology. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in self-esteem, self-concept and problems solving. The changes were sustained at the 6 month follow-up. When we compared the community group with the comparison group, results from community group revealed to be significantly higher. On the other hand, participants from institutionalized group did not show significant changes. In the last study, which consisted of the analysis of interviews conducted with the 16 individuals in the community who had successfully completed the intervention program, we sought to deepen the knowledge about the meanings arising from the experience of participating in the intervention and to understand the process of change. Through Grounded Analysis three main categories emerged from the participants’ discourse: (1) experience in psychotherapeutic intervention (pre-intervention expectations and reflections about the psychotherapeutic process); (2) changes in psychotherapeutic intervention (reflection about the changes, emergency of new abilities and alternative performances to the problem, awareness of individual vulnerabilities post intervention); and (3) change facilitators (group as a support to change, intervention/learning acquired, individual investment, significant others, partner changes and facilitator). From an integrative analysis of these data, we developed a theoretical model to deepen the knowledge about the process of change in individuals undergoing intervention directed to the problem of intimate partner violence. This dissertation reflects the complex nature of intimate partner violence as well as the urgency and need for intervene with the perpetrator of intimate partner violence, being discussed at the end of this work some implications for professional practice resulting from the empirical data obtained.Apoio da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, através da atribuição de Bolsa de Investigação com a referência SFRH/BD/66110/2009, financiada pelo POPH - QREN - Tipologia 4.1 - Formação Avançada, comparticipado pelo Fundo Social Europeu e por fundos nacionais do MCTES