Criminal lifestyle among women who committed crimes: the role of psychopathy

Research on women who committed crimes has not followed the same
developments of males who committed crimes. The study of psychopathy
and criminal lifestyle in female populations is one of the main gaps. This
study aimed to better understand the construct of psychopathy among
women who committed crimes, analyzing its relationship with criminal lifestyle.
Sixty-three incarcerated women convicted of different crimes participated
in this study. Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and Lifestyle
Criminality Screening Form-Revised (LSCF-R) were filled in. Females showed
low scores on the total psychopathy score. The interpersonal and lifestyle
facets were the highest scored, while the antisocial was the lowest scored.
Positive correlations between criminal lifestyle and total psychopathy and
lifestyle and antisocial facets were found. After controlling for age and
criminal variables, total psychopathy and the lifestyle facet emerge as variables
associated with a criminal lifestyle. These results are particularly relevant
for the design of prevention and intervention policies in female offenses
and for risk assessments.
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