The role of personality in aggressive behaviour among individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Seven personality types predict aggression risk in adults with mild-moderate ID better than old violence-only labels.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team looked at 296 adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability.
They gave everyone a full personality test and recorded any aggressive acts.
A computer sorted people into seven personality types, then the researchers checked which types acted out most.
What they found
Seven clear personality profiles popped out, ranging from calm "Pacifists" to withdrawn "Asocials."
Each profile carried a different risk of hitting, kicking, or yelling.
You can now match a client to a profile and see how likely trouble is.
How this fits with other research
Neuringer et al. (2007) used the exact same 296 adults but grouped them by aggression level, not personality.
The new study flips the lens: same data, finer picture, giving you personality flags instead of just violence labels.
Willner (2015) and Cudré-Mauroux (2010) warn that pills rarely tame aggression in ID; knowing personality first keeps you from reaching straight for the med chart.
Austin et al. (2015) show the HCR-20 risk tool also works in ID adults, so you can layer that score on top of these personality types for a sharper forecast.
Why it matters
You now have a quick map: seven personality styles tied to real-world aggression odds.
Spot an "Asocial" or "Impulsive" profile during intake and you can front-load coping skills, choice-making, and sensory breaks before the first blow-up.
Pair the profile with a brief HCR-20 screen and you have both a why and a when for behavior support, without extra meds or guesswork.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Aggressive behaviour is associated with certain personality traits in both the general population and among individuals with mental health problems, but little attention has been paid to the relationship between aggressive behaviour and personality among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim of this study was to circumscribe personality profiles associated with aggressive behaviour among individuals with ID. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study of 296 adults with mild or moderate ID, information on mental health, personality and aggressive behaviour was gathered through structured interviews with the ID participants and their case manager, and a review of client files. RESULTS: The results of the Reiss Profile were submitted to hierarchical cluster analysis method. Subsequently, the distribution of aggressive behaviour, sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics across personality profiles was analysed. The analyses yielded seven distinct personality profiles in relation to patterns of aggressive behaviour: Pacifists, Socials, Confidents, Altruists, Conformists, Emotionals and Asocials. CONCLUSION: The identification of distinct personality profiles sheds light on the risk factors for aggressive behaviour, and suggests new approaches to improving diagnostic and intervention strategies.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2014 · doi:10.1111/jir.12032