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Journal of Interpersonal Violence
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The Function of Aggression in Personality Disordered Patients

Michael Daffern

Peaks Academic and Research Unit, Rampton Hospital Nottingham University, Monash University Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Michael.daffern{at}forensicare.vic.gov.au

Kevin Howells

Peaks Academic and Research Unit, Rampton Hospital Nottingham University

It has been suggested that psychological interventions for personality disorders should focus on improving adaptive expression of the functional needs expressed through problematic behaviors such as aggression. The measurement of function is a necessary condition for devising a function-based treatment approach. Two studies that employ a method for assessing the functions of aggressive behavior in personality disordered patients are described by: (a) a retrospective analysis, through file review of inpatient aggressive behaviors and of the index offenses of patients admitted for treatment, and (b) an analysis of inpatient aggressive incidents where staff and patients were interviewed to elicit functions. Results showed that most aggression had the function of expressing anger, although other functions were also evident. The profile of functions observed in the inpatient studies was somewhat dissimilar to that observed in the studies of predominantly psychotic patients. Therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed.

Key Words: functional analysis • aggression • personality disorder • treatment

This version was published on April 1, 2009

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 24, No. 4, 586-600 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0886260508317178
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