Estratégias Comportamentais e Cognitivas no Tratamento da Psicopatia: Uma Revisão

Abstract

The definition and identification of the main characteristics and traits of psychopathic individuals has been the subject of different areas of study for several decades. In the forensic scope, the psychopathy is a term quite discussed, being strongly related to criminality. In the treatment context, the growing use of cognitive-behavioral strategies has been reported in the literature, which has presented several results. To evaluate the main cognitive and behavioral strategies employed in the treatment of psychopathy based on the results of empirical studies, considering the evidences of efficacy. The databases Scielo, PubMed, Lilacs and the CAPES Periodical portal were consulted. Inclusion criteria: 1) original empirical article; 2) sample of individuals diagnosed with psychopathy or presenting with psychopathic traits or characteristics; 3) use cognitive and behavioral strategies; 4) published between 2014 and 2019. Have been identified 848 articles that, after inclusion of the filters, reading the titles and abstracts, 23 essays were screened. Subsequently, considering the inclusion criteria, seven articles were included in the analysis. Behavioral and cognitive interventions presented different results. However, regardless of the results, the articles analyzed presented considerable limitations, this interfered negatively with evidence of efficacy. Psychopaths can respond to and benefit from behavioral and cognitive treatments. However, the field still presents few randomized research, with the same limitations pointed out in previous reviews. Interventions present controversial evidence of efficacy, therefore, new studies in the field are required with more elaborate and discerning scientific and methodological standards.