Emotional Processing in Incarcerated Men and Women: Associations with Psychopathic Traits

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience of Emotion

Background:

• Psychopathy is a personality disorder marked by callousness, manipulativeness, and antisocial behavior.
• Impaired emotional processing is a key feature of psychopathy, with potential sex differences.
• Limited research compares psychopathy and emotional processing in incarcerated men and women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between psychopathic traits and emotional processing in incarcerated individuals.
• To explore potential sex differences in psychopathy and emotional processing among this population.
• To examine the moderating role of sex on the relationship between psychopathy and emotional processing.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 144 men and 113 women in Portuguese prisons was assessed.
• Data collected using the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form (SRP-SF) and Emotional Processing Scale-25 (EPS-25).
• Statistical analyses, including regression, were used to examine associations and sex differences.

Main Results:

• Men reported higher psychopathic traits (lifestyle, antisocial dimensions).
• Women reported more emotional processing difficulties (unprocessed emotions, avoidance, impoverished expression).
• Psychopathic traits positively correlated with emotional processing difficulties, especially affective and interpersonal facets; emotional controllability was strongly linked to psychopathy.

Conclusions:

• Psychopathic traits are associated with emotional processing difficulties in incarcerated individuals.
• Sex did not significantly moderate the relationship between psychopathy and emotional processing in this sample.
• Findings support a dimensional, facet-based understanding of emotional dysfunction in psychopathy.