Date of Submission

2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie H. Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

David Festinger, PhD

Second Advisor

Beverly White, PsyD

Third Advisor

Veronique Valliere, PsyD

Abstract

Following the dimensional-categorical model of personality functioning, this study used archival data to examine the degree to which narcissism and entitlement determined engagement in violent acts and treatment completion. The study reviewed MCMI-III/IV scores, discharge summaries, and violence histories for a sample of 105 individuals who were referred for forensic outpatient services by the court. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess all four of the hypotheses (a) individuals with more than one violent act (vs. one violent act) would have significantly higher mean scores on the MCMI-III/IV entitlement subscale, (b) individuals with more than one violent act would have significantly higher mean scores on the MCMI-III/IV narcissism scale, (c) individuals who had unsuccessful (vs. successful) treatment completion would have higher mean scores on the MCMIIII/IV entitlement subscale; and (d) individuals who had unsuccessful treatment completion would have higher mean scores on the MCMI-III/IV narcissism scale. Findings did not support these hypotheses. However, results supported literature highlighting discrepancies between conviction rates and offenders’ and victims’ selfreports of violent offending. Further, exploratory analyses were conducted to examine the relationship among Central Eight risk factors, narcissism, entitlement, violent acts, and treatment completion. Findings supported the Central Eight risk factors being predictors of violent engagement and correlated with treatment success and severity of narcissism and entitlement. Antisociality, as a Central Eight risk factor, was especially correlated with violent acts and treatment success. Overall, this study supported the dimensional conceptualization of personality disorders and expanded use of the risk-needsresponsivity model for treatment of violent offenders.

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