Male inmate profiles and their biological correlates
- PMID: 25161069
- PMCID: PMC4143301
- DOI: 10.1177/070674371405900807
Male inmate profiles and their biological correlates
Abstract
Objective: Borderline and antisocial personality disorders (PDs) share common clinical features (impulsivity, aggressiveness, substance use disorders [SUDs], and suicidal behaviours) that are greatly overrepresented in prison populations. These disorders have been associated biologically with testosterone and cortisol levels. However, the associations are ambiguous and the subject of controversy, perhaps because these heterogeneous disorders have been addressed as unitary constructs. A consideration of profiles of people, rather than of exclusive diagnoses, might yield clearer relationships.
Methods: In our study, multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis were employed to identify subgroups among 545 newly convicted inmates. The groups were then compared in terms of clinical features and biological markers, including levels of cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and sulfoconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S).
Results: Four clusters with differing psychiatric, criminal, and biological profiles emerged. Clinically, one group had intermediate scores for each of the tested clinical features. Another group comprised people with little comorbidity. Two others displayed severe impulsivity, PD, and SUD. Biologically, cortisol levels were lowest in the last 2 groups and highest in the group with less comorbidity. In keeping with previous findings reported in the literature, testosterone was higher in a younger population with severe psychiatric symptoms. However, some apparently comparable behavioural outcomes were found to be related to distinct biological profiles. No differences were observed for estradiol, progesterone, or DHEA-S levels.
Conclusions: The results not only confirm the importance of biological markers in the study of personality features but also demonstrate the need to consider the role of comorbidities and steroid coregulation.
Objectif :: Les troubles de la personnalité (TP) limite et antisociale ont des caractéristiques cliniques communes (impulsivité, agressivité, troubles liés à l’utilisation de substances [TUS], et comportements suicidaires) qui sont beaucoup surreprésentées dans les populations carcérales. Ces troubles ont été associés biologiquement aux taux de testostérone et de cortisol. Cependant, les associations sont ambiguës et font l’objet de controverses, peut-être parce que ces troubles hétérogènes ont été abordés comme des construits unitaires. Un examen des profils des personnes, plutôt que des diagnostics exclusifs, pourrait produire des relations plus nettes.
Méthodes :: Dans notre étude, nous avons employé l’analyse des correspondances multiples et l’analyse typologique pour identifier les sous-groupes parmi 545 détenus récemment condamnés. Les groupes ont ensuite été comparés en ce qui concerne les caractéristiques cliniques et les marqueurs biologiques, notamment les taux de cortisol, de testostérone, d’estradiol, de progestérone, et de déhydroépiandrostérone sulfoconjuguée (DHEA-S).
Résultats :: Quatre groupes ayant des profils psychiatriques, criminels, et biologiques différents se sont démarqués. Cliniquement, un groupe avait des scores intermédiaires pour chacune des caractéristiques cliniques testées. Un autre groupe comportait des personnes ayant peu de comorbidité. Deux autres présentaient une impulsivité grave, un TP et un TUS. Biologiquement, les taux de cortisol étaient les plus faibles dans les 2 derniers groupes, et les plus élevés dans le groupe ayant peu de comorbidité. Conformément aux résultats précédents rapportés dans la littérature, la testostérone était plus élevée dans une population plus jeune présentant de graves symptômes psychiatriques. Toutefois, des résultats comportementaux apparemment comparables se sont révélés être reliés à des profils biologiques distincts. Aucune différence n’a été observée pour l’estradiol, la progestérone ou les taux de de DHEA-S.
Conclusions :: Non seulement les résultats confirment l’importance des marqueurs biologiques dans l’étude des traits de personnalité, mais ils démontrent aussi la nécessité d’examiner le rôle des comorbidités et de la co-régulation des stéroïdes.
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