Criminality and the interpersonal circle in mentally disordered offenders

Many of the personality traits distinguishing offenders from nonoffenders reflect interpersonal characteristics. This study examined the relationship of levels of criminality to interpersonal style in forensic psychiatric patients suffering from major mental illness (n = 143) and those without mental illness (n = 59). Observers rated patients on a measure of the interpersonal circle (CIRCLE: Chart of Interpersonal Reactions in Closed Living Environments) from which scores on dominance-submission and nurturance-hostility dimensions were derived. Mentally ill offenders were more submissive than those without mental illness, but in both groups, offenders with higher levels of criminal convictions were more dominant than those with the lowest levels. Correlational analysis indicated that offenders with extensive criminal careers who are not mentally ill have a more dominant and coercive interpersonal style. Similar, but less pronounced trends were apparent among mentally ill offenders. These findings suggest that persistent lawbreaking may represent attempts to master a social environment perceived as hostile.