Background
The project focuses on reformulation of the concept, assessment and treatment of psychopathic traits. It includes development and evaluation of the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP), including theoretical discussion, qualitative studies and clinical collaborations within child/adolescent mental health services and child welfare services.
The concept of psychopathy is currently regarded as a distinct variant of antisocial personality disorder (PD), is unlike most mental disorders in the lack of observations of vulnerability and pain in those affected. Rather, the psychopathic individual’s callous and self-centered ways create suffering in others. Measures are developed to identify these characteristics in a reliable way. Increased accuracy has, however, not led to better treatment. Hallmarks of the current paradigm can be challenged by three central research questions:
- Are psychopathy and suffering mutually exclusive constructs?
- Is the psychopath more than the persistent callous, grandiose and ruthless characteristics that we usually see?
- Is the psychopath deprived of a capacity to change?
These are elaborated in the PhD thesis Redefining psychopathy? Is there a need for a reformulation of the concept, assessment, and treatment of psychopathic traits, (Aina Gullhaug, 2012), paving the way for the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP; Gullhaugen, Heinze, & Chernyahovsky Kornev, 2021), a clinically, theoretically and empirically based model aiming to describe psychodynamics, or inner life, of psychopathic individuals. The most recent development is the DMP Assessment and Treatment Framework (Gullhaugen, 2022; under review), where treatment is directed toward 3 distinct goals; personal integrity, attachment, and autonomy (the 3D structure of the model). Further exploration includes boundaries between psychopathy and other types of PDs.
Aims
An overriding research project aim is to test the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP) and associated assessment and treatment framework. Long-term goals are to improve identification of psychopathy under development in BUP and implement the DMP Assessment and Treatment Framework, which may reduce individual suffering and society’s financial costs. The project can contribute to increase clinician’s knowledge about a patient group which receives little attention.
Projects
Pilot study in child/adolescence mental health services (BUP): Can the DMP identify development of severe personality pathology (psychopathy) in BUP?
The study is qualitative and aims to shed light on the relevance of DMP in BUP. It investigates experienced clinicians' (n=12) current identification of relevant patients based on a new model and existing diagnoses (semi-structured interview). In the analysis of the transcribed material, meaning condensation will be used as a (qualitative) method. Results will be assessed in relation to existing theory and published in a peer reviewed journal. The project is approved by Sikt – Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research.
Further studies under development in child welfare populations: Studies will focus on patient assessment and treatment in the child welfare population.
Collaborations
St. Olavs Hospital HF.
Viktoria Hambro, NTNU
Contact
Aina Sundt Gullhaugen, PhD
E-mail: aina.sundt.gullhaugen@stolav.no
Publications
- Gullhaugen, A. S. (2012). Redefining psychopathy? Is there a need for a reformulation of the concept, assessment, and treatment of psychopathic traits? PhD thesis at NTNU.
- Gullhaugen, A. S. & Nøttestad, J. Aa. (2011). Looking for the Hannibal behind the Cannibal: Current status of case research. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 55(3), 250-269. doi:10.1177/0306624X10362659.
- Gullhaugen, A. S. & Nøttestad, J. Aa. (2012). Under the surface: The dynamic interpersonal and affective world of psychopathic high-security and detention prisoners. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 56(6), 917-936. doi:10.1177/0306624X11415633.
- Gullhaugen, A. S. & Nøttestad, J. Aa. (2012). Testing theoretical models for future clinical practice in the treatment of psychopathy. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 23(5-6), 635-653. doi:10.1080/14789949.2012.729390.
- Gullhaugen, A. S., & Sakshaug, T. (2019). What can we learn about psychopathic offenders by studying their communication? A review of the literature. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 48, 199-219. doi:10.1007/s10936-018-9599-y.
- Gullhaugen, A., Heinze, P., & Chernyahovsky Kornev, S. (2021). The theoretical validation of the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy: Towards a reformulation of the concept, assessment, and treatment of psychopathic traits. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 38(4), 290–299. doi:10.1037/pap0000336.
- Supplemental materials: https://doi.org/10.1037/pap0000336.supp.
- Gullhaugen, A. S. The Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP) assessment and treatment framework. Poster presented at the 9th meeting of the Society of the Scientific Study of Psychopathy, Online, 2022-05-19 – 2022-05-21.
- Gullhaugen, A. (under review). Psychopathy as the diagnostic endpoint for personality disorder and the Dynamic Model of Psychopathy (DMP) Assessment and Treatment Framework as a problem solver regardless of population and severity level.