Why psychopathy matters: Implications for public health and violence prevention

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Dennis E. Reidy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Megan C. Kearns, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Sarah DeGue, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Scott O Lilienfeld, Emory University; Greta Massetti, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Kent A. Kiehl, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-09
• Publisher: Elsevier Masson
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Elsevier B.V.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2015.05.018
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Aggression and Violent Behavior
• ISSN: 1359-1789
• Volume: 24
• Start Page: 214
• End Page: 225
• Keywords: Psychopathy; Callous-unemotional traits; primary prevention; Violence Prevention; Violence; public health
• Research Categories: Psychology, General

Abstract

Psychopathy is an early-appearing risk factor for severe and chronic violence. The violence largely attributable to psychopathy constitutes a substantial portion of the societal burden to the public health and criminal justice systems, and thus necessitates significant attention from prevention experts. Yet, despite a vast base of research in psychology and criminology, the public health approach to violence has generally neglected to consider this key variable. Fundamentally, the public health approach to violence prevention is focused on achieving change at the population level to provide the most benefit to the maximum number of people. Increasing attention to the individual-level factor of psychopathy in public health could improve our ability to reduce violence at the community and societal levels. We conclude that the research literature on psychopathy points to a pressing need for a broad-based public health approach with a focus on primary prevention. Further, we consider how measuring psychopathy in public health research may benefit violence prevention, and ultimately society, in general.