Both early childhood trauma and insecure attachment styles are linked to psychopathic personality traits. The main aim of the present study was to investigate whether insecure attachment styles may serve as mediating variables between childhood trauma and psychopathy in adulthood. Therefore, a potential mediating role of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance within a sample of 355 male inmates was examined by investigating childhood trauma, attachment styles (ECR-R), and psychopathy scores (PCL-R). A significant positive association between childhood trauma and psychopathy was replicated. The mediation analysis did not show a significant mediation effect through the attachment styles; however, a significant contrast between the two attachment styles was found, indicating that attachment avoidance played a more important role than attachment anxiety in explaining the degree of psychopathic traits. The findings of the present study highlight the necessity of thoroughly considering attachment styles in the treatment of individuals with psychopathic personality structures.

Zusammenfassung: Ausgehend von der Replikationskrise wurden in den letzten Jahren unter der Überschrift Open Science vielfältige Maßnahmen diskutiert, um psychologische Forschung transparenter, nachvollziehbarer und reproduzierbarer zu gestalten. Diskutiert wurden dabei nicht nur neue Forschungspraktiken und Publikationsformen, sondern auch Anpassungen in der universitären Lehre, um die Konsequenzen dieser Debatte frühzeitig in der Aus- und Weiterbildung von Psychologinnen und Psychologen zu verankern. Neben diesem vorrangig das fachliche Binnenverhältnis betreffenden und damit eher nach innen gerichtetem Blick umfasst Open Science aber auch die Kommunikation nach außen, d. h. die Kommunikation zwischen Vertreterinnen und Vertretern der Wissenschaft und unterschiedlichen Akteurinnen und Akteuren aus (Zivil–)‌Gesellschaft und Politik. Im Rahmen des vorliegenden Positionspapiers möchten wir Aspekte der Open Science Debatte in ihrer Auswirkung auf die angewandte Disziplin der Rechtspsychologie diskutieren. Obwohl wir dieses Fach in den Mittelpunkt stellen, sind wir überzeugt, dass viele Aspekte auch für andere angewandte Teildisziplinen der Psychologie von Bedeutung sind. Für die Rechtspsychologie stellen sich im Rahmen von Open Science-Entwicklungen diverse Chancen und Herausforderungen, da sie – wie auch andere Subdisziplinen aus dem Bereich der Angewandten Psychologie – in einem Feld agiert, das durch hohe angewandte Relevanz, sensible Gruppen von Probandinnen und Probanden sowie ausgeprägte gesellschaftliche Spannungsfelder gekennzeichnet ist. Der vorliegende Beitrag thematisiert sowohl Potenziale als auch Schwierigkeiten einer konsequenten Umsetzung von Open Science in der Rechtspsychologie und schlägt konkrete fachspezifische Anpassungen vor. Thematisiert werden dabei insbesondere: Präregistrierung, offene Daten und Materialien, Open-Access-Publikationen, akademische Anreizstrukturen und Wissenschaftskommunikation.

Objectives: The Impostor Phenomenon (IP), defined as persistent self-doubt despite objective success, has been extensively researched in adults. In contrast, empirical research on children and adolescents remains limited. Methods: The present study examines the prevalence, correlates, and potential risk as well as protective factors of the IP in a sample of 286 participants (56.6% female, 42.7% male, and 0.7% diverse) aged 8–18 years (M = 11.75, SD = 2.50). Participants were recruited from four distinct German subsamples between 2022 and 2024, including a clinically vulnerable group. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design administered to children and adolescents. Results: The results of the study indicate the presence of the IP as early as primary school age, with increasing intensity during adolescence. The study identified robust correlations between the IP and neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and self-esteem. In the present study, children and adolescents exhibiting depressive–anxious symptomatology demonstrated significantly elevated impostor scores in comparison to those manifesting other disorders. Furthermore, the study yielded negative associations between impostorism and various personal resources (e.g., optimism, self-efficacy) and family resources (e.g., parental support, authoritative parenting style). Conclusions: The present findings underline the importance of early intervention in addressing impostor feelings among younger age groups. In conclusion, the present findings contribute to our understanding of the IP etiology and underscore the importance of understanding the IP during formative years to inform prevention and intervention strategies.

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie die psychodynamischen Dimensionen der Operationalisierten Psychodynamischen Diagnostik 3 (OPD-3) in die forensische Behandlungsplanung anhand des Risk-Need-Responsivity-Modells (RNR-Modell) integriert werden können. Ziel ist die Formulierung eines theoretischen Rahmens, der zentrale psychodynamische Konzepte zu Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung von Delinquenz mit etablierten Faktoren der Kriminalprognose verbindet. Zunächst werden die Achsen der OPD‑3 und die Prinzipien des RNR-Modells vorgestellt. Anschließend wird anhand von theoretischen Überlegungen dargestellt, wie die Beziehungs‑, Konflikt- und Strukturachse der OPD‑3 systematisch in das RNR-Modell eingeordnet werden können. Dabei werden die OPD-3-Konstrukte dysfunktionale Beziehungsmuster, unbewusste Konfliktdynamiken und das Strukturniveau als mögliche kriminogen bedeutsame Faktoren im Sinne des Bedürfnisprinzips des RNR-Modells konzeptualisiert. Außerdem werden Aspekte der Beziehungs- und der Strukturachse der OPD‑3 als potenzielle Ansprechbarkeitsfaktoren skizziert. Abschließend stellt der Beitrag dar, welche empirischen Studien notwendig sind, um die beschriebenen theoretischen Zusammenhänge zu überprüfen. Der Beitrag zeigt auf, wie mithilfe der OPD‑3 operationalisierte psychodynamische Konzepte für die forensische Behandlungsplanung genutzt werden können, und stellt zugleich einen Ausgangspunkt für empirische Studien im psychodynamisch-forensischen Bereich dar.

In personality psychology, questionnaires are an established tool for assessing psychological traits. In forensic risk assessment, however, their use is often met with skepticism. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the role of self-report information for assessing the risk of sexual recidivism. Focusing on individuals convicted of sexual offending, about 500 publications were identified through a systematic, string-based search across three electronic databases. The final sample was constituted by 95 publications that met the inclusion criteria - empirical studies using or investigating self-report measures in sexual risk assessment, with a minimum of 50 participants. Various risk-relevant constructs assessed by self-reports were examined. The results predominantly support the validity of self-report measures, particularly for assessing sexuality-related constructs, offense-supportive cognitions, prior offenses, and aggression. Comparing self-reports to other instruments showed some unique variance to the prediction of recidivism. The association with desirable responding was found to have an overall small effect size. Additionally, social desirability often emerged not as a response bias but as a risk-relevant trait. However, contextual factors, such as confidentiality and incentives, may significantly influence response distortion, presenting limitation for their use in high-stakes forensic decision-making. Overall, self-reported information appears to be a valuable complement to other assessment methods, significantly contributing to the prediction of recidivism. Nevertheless, the relationship between self-reports, contextual factors, and offender characteristics should be carefully considered when selecting the most appropriate assessment method. The findings of this study, along with its limitations and implications for future research, are discussed.

Pedophilic interests are considered as one of the most important diagnostic aspects and one of the strongest predictors of sexual recidivism among persons convicted of sexual offenses against children. The Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) is a comparatively easy-to-score diagnostic actuarial instrument to assess pedohebephilic interests. The present study aimed to examine the convergent, predictive, and incremental validity of the German version of the SSPI-2 in a sample of N = 438 males released from the Austrian prison system who had been convicted and incarcerated because of sexual offenses against children. As expected, the SSPI-2 was moderately correlated with a diagnosis of (exclusive) pedophilia and with the risk assessment instruments Static-99 and Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20) v2. The examination of the predictive validity revealed moderate effect sizes of the SSPI-2 for the prediction of sexually motivated recidivism. Sequential Cox regressions showed that the SSPI-2 incrementally predicts sexual recidivism and sexual noncontact recidivism beyond the SVR-20 v2 and the diagnosis of exclusive pedophilia; however, the SSPI-2 did not have incremental predictive validity beyond the Static-99. Finally, normative data were constructed for the observed and calculated proportions of pedophilia and exclusive pedophilia diagnoses and for 5-year sexual recidivism rates.

This systematic review aimed to synthesize findings on the characteristics of individuals with cybergrooming offense histories (ICOs), their grooming strategies, and emergent typologies. The Cochrane approach guided the review. Publications were included if they investigated adult ICOs older than 18 years of age, their characteristics, the strategies they utilized, existing typologies, and if they were empirical studies. Overall, 2,603 publications were retrieved from PubMed, PsycInfo, Psyndex, Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar, using a string-guided electronic search. The quality of all 22 publications that met the inclusion criteria was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and the findings were synthesized. Results from 1,525 individuals across 22 studies revealed that ICOs tended to be male, around 30 years old, had few/no prior convictions, and were likely to have mental health problems. Strategies such as trying to build a real or feigned affectionate relationship via enticement, the introduction and pursuit of sexual content, and the assessment of the risk to be detected were common. Most studies differentiated between individuals who were primarily interested in an intimate relationship with the victim (the primarily intimacy-seeking) and those who were mainly interested in a quick satisfaction of their sexual needs (the primarily sexually preoccupied). Future research should focus on naturally occurring ICO/victim constellations and employ quantitative measures for adequate data collection. The findings underscore variety regarding strategies depending on ICOs' underlying factors, the state of the conversation with the victim, and their overall intention.

This study examined whether there would be significant group-level and reliable individual changes in psychopathy measured via the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) and the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM–P) scores in a sample of 187 adult individuals with violent and sexual offense histories incarcerated and treated in a German social therapy facility (STF). Measurements were taken at entry into the STF and at (most) an 18-month follow-up. The results of dependent t-tests were significant, showing significant reductions in PCL–R and IM–P scores. Stronger significant reductions were observed for PCL–R Factor 1 scores and its corresponding facets compared with Factor 2 scores. Reliable individual changes measured via the Reliable Change Index (RCI) showed improvements in PCL–R and IM–P scores for some participants.

Although many studies supported the use of actuarial risk assessment instruments (ARAIs) because they outperformed unstructured judgments, it remains an ongoing challenge to seek potentials for improvement of their predictive performance. Machine learning (ML) algorithms, like random forests, are able to detect patterns in data useful for prediction purposes without explicitly programming them (e.g., by considering nonlinear effects between risk factors and the criterion). Therefore, the current study aims to compare conventional logistic regression analyses with the random forest algorithm on a sample of N = 511 adult male individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Data were collected at the Federal Evaluation Center for Violent and Sexual Offenders in Austria within a prospective-longitudinal research design and participants were followed-up for an average of M = 8.2 years. The Static-99, containing static risk factors, and the Stable-2007, containing stable dynamic risk factors, were included as predictors. The results demonstrated no superior predictive performance of the random forest compared with logistic regression; furthermore, methods of interpretable ML did not point to any robust nonlinear effects. Altogether, results supported the statistical use of logistic regression for the development and clinical application of ARAIs.

Zusammenfassung Obwohl das Thema Radikalisierung im deutschen Justizvollzug in den letzten Jahren an Relevanz gewonnen hat, gibt es immer noch vergleichsweise wenig empirisches Wissen über die Anzahl an und Versorgung von Extremist*innen in Einrichtungen des Justizvollzugs. Die vorliegende Studie erfasste den aktuellen Stand hinsichtlich Radikalisierungstendenzen in allen N = 71 sozialtherapeutischen Einrichtungen (SothEn) in Deutschland. Dabei wurde davon ausgegangen, dass die SothEn durch ihr integratives Behandlungskonzept Radikalisierungstendenzen frühzeitig erkennen und bearbeiten. Das Thema Radikalisierung war für etwa die Hälfte der SothEn relevant, wobei diese meist keinen Schwerpunkt auf bestimmte Arten der Radikalisierung legten. Insgesamt fanden sich nur relativ wenige Personen, die den Kategorien der Gefährder, Sympathisanten und Gefährdeten in den SothEn zugeordnet wurden. In mehr als zwei Drittel aller SothEn wurde ein differenzierteres Diagnose- bzw. Prognoseverfahren hinsichtlich der Radikalisierungstendenzen durchgeführt, dies größtenteils über externe Organisationen. Für Gefangene waren mehrheitlich Deradikalisierungsmaßnahmen vorhanden, wobei auch hier auf externe Angebote zurückgegriffen wurde. Eine Evaluation der Deradikalisierungsmaßnahmen fand allerdings nur selten statt. Die Ergebnisse wurden vor dem Hintergrund bestehender »Best-Practice-Ansätze« diskutiert und deuten auf eine besondere Eignung Sozialtherapeutischer Einrichtungen für die Arbeit mit Gefährdern, Sympathisanten und Gefährdeten hin.

Although the topic of radicalization in German penal institutions has gained increased attention over the past years, empirical evidence for the number of incarcerated extremists and their treatment is still sorely lacking. The present study sought to survey the current situation of radicalization in all N = 71 German social therapy facilities (STFs), as it was assumed that the integrative treatment would lead to an early recognition and treatment of radical tendencies. Overall, the topic of radicalization was relevant for around half of the STFs, with only a minority of STFs focusing on specific types of radicalizations (i. e., political, religious). Results showed only small percentages of extremists in STFs, but more than two thirds of STFs had diagnostic/prognostic capabilities for radicalized inmates. For prisoners, deradicalization measures were available in the majority of the STFs, with external offers also being used here. However, the utilized deradicalization interventions were seldom evaluated by the STFs. The results were discussed against the backdrop of existing best-practice approaches and suggest a particular suitability of STFs for working with extremists.

The current study examined the association between psychopathy, criminal behavior, and the role of verbal intelligence. One promising approach is to examine alternative links between psychopathic traits and criminality like moderation and mediation effects by considering the potential relevance of verbal intelligence as a possible moderating variable. We hypothesized that psychopathic traits linearly predict antisocial behavior (ASB) but that a conviction because of ASB is moderated by verbal intelligence. To test a path model of this hypothesis, N = 305 participants (42% women; n = 172 inmates of German correctional facilities) filled in questionnaires to assess psychopathic traits, ASB, criminal behavior, and verbal intelligence. The moderated mediation analysis revealed that high psychopathic traits go along with a higher number of ASB, whereas individuals with higher verbal intelligence were more likely to evade detection, thus being more successful in their antisocial acts. These results sheds further light on the construct of adaptive psychopathy, supporting the notion that also non-incarcerated psychopathic individuals act highly antisocial. Only separate factors like verbal intelligence might mitigate negative consequences. Further implications for the concept of successful psychopathy are discussed.

Acute dynamic risk factors can change over short periods of time, even within days or hours. When making risk assessments of individuals convicted of sexual offenses, it is necessary to consider this rapidity of change, in order to monitor appropriately the recidivism risk and to prevent future crimes. Until now, there is only one instrument-the Acute-2007-which assesses acute risk factors in individuals convicted of sexual offenses. However, the current state of research about its psychometric properties is still limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the German version of the Acute-2007 in a final sample of N = 534 adult male individuals convicted of a sexual offense in Germany. Within a prospective-longitudinal field study, appropriately trained parole officers used the Acute-2007 directly after a case was allocated to them. By using an average follow-up period of M = 3.83 years, recidivism data were drawn from the Federal Central Criminal Register of the Federal Office of Justice. Results revealed that the Acute-2007 predicted moderately general (AUC = .64), sexual (AUC = .64), and violent (AUC = .64) recidivism. By using Cox regression analysis, the Acute-2007 significantly predicted the time periods until a sexual reoffense. Furthermore, the Acute-2007 added incremental predictive validity beyond the Static-99 in the prediction of sexual recidivism. Taken together, the results of the present study support the relevance of acute dynamic risk factors in risk assessment and management of individuals convicted of sexual offenses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The main aim of Social Therapy Units (STUs) in the German prison system is to treat violent and sexual offenders to reduce their recidivism risk. The present study examines the different characteristics of the admission to-, stay in and termination from all N = 71 STUs in the German prison system. Admissions are equally frequent for violent and sexual offenders as well as based on case-by-case decisions. Upon admission, prisoners were routinely subject to diagnostics in the STU and three quarters of STUs utilized a clearly defined trial phase including motivational measures to assess whether prisoners meet the intervention-based requirements of STUs. Nevertheless, treatments are often terminated within the first 12 months, mainly due to a lack of motivation in prisoners. Probation and supervision are common methods of follow-up care for prisoners released from STUs. Although motivational measures are utilized after admission into the STUs, many treatments are still terminated due to the prisoners' lack of motivation. To ensure that particularly high-risk, high-need prisoners can be treated adequately and as effectively as possible in STUs, motivational measures should be further optimized.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Sozialtherapeutische Einrichtungen des Justizvollzugs (SothEn) dienen der Behandlung von (Sexual‐ und Gewalt–)‌Straftätern, um deren Rückfallrisiko nachhaltig zu reduzieren. Fragestellung und Methode: Die vorliegende Studie erfasste unterschiedliche Merkmale der gesprächsbasierten therapeutischen Behandlung in allen 71 SothEn in Deutschland. Gesprächsbasierte Behandlung wurde dabei definiert als durch Gespräche vermittelte Behandlung, die auf eine Besserung der psychischen Gesundheit sowie auf eine Reduktion des Rückfallrisikos abzielt. Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen: Aus der Sicht der befragten Einrichtungen wird die Wirksamkeit der gesprächsbasierten Behandlung durch eine hohe Fluktuation des Personals, mangelnde Qualifikationsmöglichkeiten sowie die eingeschränkte Autonomie der Behandlungseinrichtung von der Gesamtanstalt eingeschränkt. Die Wirksamkeit der Behandlung ließe sich demnach durch einen gezielten Ausbau empirisch abgesicherter therapeutischer Maßnahmen sowie durch erhöhte Ressourcen und Alltagsnähe für Lockerungen, Übergang und Nachsorge steigern.

Background: The main aim of Social Therapy Units (STUs) within the German prison system is to treat violent and sexual offenders to reduce their risk of recidivism. Objective and Methods: The present study examines communication-based therapeutic treatment approaches in all 71 STUs within the German prison system. Communication-based therapeutic treatment comprises all treatment approaches that use the communication between therapist and offender as the main treatment mechanism. The main aims are to improve the mental health status and to reduce the risk of recidivism among the prisoners. Results and Conclusions: In general, frequent changes in personnel, a lack of opportunities for further qualifications as well as the limited autonomy within the penal institution are common problems in STUs which limit the effectiveness of communication-based treatment. According to the STUs, the effectiveness of treatment could be increased by implementing more client-specific treatment programs and by pursuing the empirical evaluation of treatment outcome. Additionally, more resources should be allocated toward easing restrictions, enabling the transition from the STU back to freedom, and providing postrelease follow-up care.

Zusammenfassung Sozialtherapeutische Einrichtungen des Justizvollzugs (SothEn) dienen der Behandlung von (Sexual‐ und Gewalt-)Straftätern, um deren Rückfallrisiko nachhaltig zu reduzieren. Die vorliegende Studie erfasste unterschiedliche Merkmale zur Aufnahme, Verbleib und Beendigung einer sozialtherapeutischen Behandlung in allen N = 71 SothEn in Deutschland. Dabei wurde vor allem auf die Entscheidungsfindung in der Praxis wert gelegt. Aufnahmen erfolgten im gleichen Maße nach aktuell geltenden gesetzlichen Regelungen für Sexual- und Gewaltstraftäter sowie durch Einzelfallentscheidungen. Eine Diagnostik der Gefangenen bei der Aufnahme war die Regel und erfolgte meist in der eigenen Einrichtung. Darüber hinaus fanden in drei Viertel der Einrichtungen Probephasen zur Aufnahme statt, die vorab vereinbart wurden, eine festgelegte Dauer hatten und Interventionen zur Förderung der Motivation enthielten. In der Regel fanden Behandlungsabbrüche meist in den ersten 12 Monaten statt, häufig aufgrund mangelnder Motivation seitens der Gefangenen. Eine Nachbetreuung in Form von Bewährung oder Führungsaufsicht war im Großteil der Fälle gegeben. Obwohl Probephasen mit Motivationsmaßnahmen bei der Aufnahme in die SothEn vorhanden waren, war die Zahl der Abbrüche aufgrund unzureichender Behandlungsmotivation unverändert hoch, weshalb insbesondere die Motivationsförderung der Hochrisikoklientel weiterhin im Mittelpunkt zukünftiger Bemühungen stehen sollte.

Actuarial risk assessment instruments (ARAIs) are widely used for the prediction of recidivism in individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Although many studies supported the use of ARAIs because they outperformed unstructured judgments, it remains an ongoing challenge to seek potentials for improvement of their predictive performance. Machine learning (ML) algorithms, like random forests, are able to detect patterns in data useful for prediction purposes without explicitly programming them. In contrast to logistic regression, random forests are able to consider nonlinear effects between risk factors and the criterion in order to enhance predictive validity. Therefore, the current study aims to compare conventional logistic regression analyses with the random forest algorithm on a sample of N = 511 adult male individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Data was collected at the Federal Evaluation Center for Violent and Sexual Offenders (FECVSO) in Austria within a prospective-longitudinal research design and participants were followed-up for an average of M = 8.2 years. The Static-99, containing static risk factors, and the Stable-2007, containing stable dynamic risk factors, were included as predictors. The results demonstrated no superior predictive performance of the random forest compared to logistic regression; furthermore, methods of interpretable machine learning did not point to any robust nonlinear effects. Altogether, results supported the statistical use of logistic regression for the development and clinical application of ARAIs.