https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370818772774
European Journal of Criminology
1–19
© The Author(s) 2018
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DOI: 10.1177/1477370818772774
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Do incarcerated male juvenile
recidivists differ from first-
time offenders on self-reported
psychopathic traits? A
retrospective study
Pedro Pechorro
University of Minho, Portugal
Teresa Braga
University of Minho, Portugal
James V. Ray
University of Central Florida, USA
Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves
University of Minho, Portugal
Henrik Andershed
School of Law, Psychology and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
Abstract
The current study analyzed the relation between recidivism and self-reported psychopathic traits,
more specifically the callous-unemotional, impulsivity, and narcissism dimensions of the psychopathy
construct. The Antisocial Process Screening Device – Self-Report (APSD-SR) and other self-
report instruments independently measuring the three different dimensions of psychopathy
(that is, Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Narcissistic
Personality-13) were completed by a sample of incarcerated male juvenile offenders (N = 244) who
were retrospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. The only statistically significant
relation found between recidivism and self-reported psychopathic traits after controlling for age
and socioeconomic status was with the impulsivity dimension of the APSD-SR. Additionally, results
showed that recidivism was associated with alcohol use but not with drug use or crime seriousness.
Corresponding author:
Pedro Pechorro, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.
Email: ppechorro@gmail.com
772774EUC 0 0 10.1177/1477370818772774European Journal of CriminologyPechorro et al.
research-article 2018
Article