Forensic Science and Psychology

Background: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is commonly associated with a lack of remorse or regard for others and has consequently been a focus of interest for those wishing to determine whether emotion processing and empathy deficits contribute to antisocial behavior. However, the way that these deficits manifest specifically in adult male ASPD populations has not previously been systematically reviewed.

 

Aim: To determine the nature of emotion processing and empathy deficits specific to adult male ASPD populations.

 

Method: Searches were completed across seven electronic databases, a range of grey literature sites, by hand searching and through contact with authors. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and quality assessments undertaken on eligible studies.

 

Results: Fifteen primary studies were included in this systematic review, and thirteen reported evidence to support either emotion processing or cognitive empathy deficits in ASPD. However, the validity of results was compromised by small samples and sampling bias. Thus, generalizability of findings to the wider ASPD population is limited.

 

Conclusion: A wide range of methodological approaches have been used to investigate emotion processing and empathy deficits in ASPD which has led to mixed findings. Whilst emotion processing deficits and cognitive empathy deficits were reported, greater clarity regarding the contribution of potential confounders is required to inform the extent to which deficits are attributable to ASPD specifically.