Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas) ()

Psychopathic traits in adolescence: a review

  • Ramiro Ronchetti,
  • Gabriel José Chittó Gauer,
  • Sílvio Vasconcellos,
  • Leonardo Machado da Silva,
  • Guinter Luhring,
  • Aline Rubin,
  • Alice Martines

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-166x2014000200009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 2
pp. 237 – 246

Abstract

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Currently, and throughout the history of mental healthcare, the literature highlights that there is no agreement on the use of the terms "antisocial personality disorder" and "psychopathic personality". This paper aims to promote a debate over these concepts and their evaluation for both adults and adolescents. With this aim, a systematic review was conducted in the MedLine data base between 1968 and March 2011 using the terms "adolescent", "antisocial personality disorder", and "personality assessment". From the 59 identified articles 29 were selected to further analysis. The discussion of these terms was confirmed, as well as the importance of assessing psychopathic traits during adolescence. An initial tendency to disregard the term psychopathy and its affective implications was evidenced. However, the latest psychological instruments return to the discussion regarding the use of this diagnosis and its implications.

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