Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 trait correlates with self-reported acts of rape

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Forensic Psychiatry

Background:

• Dark triad personality traits are investigated as potential causes of sexual aggression.
• The Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) assesses trait dimensions relevant to personality disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between PID-5 trait dimensions and self-reported rape perpetration.
• To determine if PID-5 scores can serve as risk indicators for sexual aggressiveness.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of 517 men was conducted using a crowdsourcing platform.
• Associations between PID-5 scores (item, facet, and domain levels) and self-reported rape acts were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between various PID-5 indicators and acts of sexual aggression.
• Elevated PID-5 facet dimensions substantially increased the odds of self-reported rape.
• Specific traits like callousness, irresponsibility, and grandiosity were significant correlates of sexual assault.

Conclusions:

• PID-5 scores appear to be useful indicators of sexual aggressiveness.
• Men with elevated personality disorder traits are more likely to report past sexual assault.
• Findings are limited by the cross-sectional, retrospective, and self-report nature of the data.