Therapeutic Alliance Moderates Psychopathy-Outcome Relation in Treatment of Substance-Abusing Offenders

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2025 Apr 28:306624X251337484. doi: 10.1177/0306624X251337484. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present study attempts to clarify the relationship between psychopathy, the therapeutic alliance, and success of offender treatment. In a German sample of n = 89 convicted men in addiction treatment, we examined whether early therapeutic alliance ratings moderated the relationship between psychopathy, as measured by the Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R), and treatment success within the first 6 months. Results indicated that a moderation model is appropriate, as the association between total PCL-R and treatment success differed as a function of perceived therapeutic alliance. Specifically, high psychopathy impaired treatment success when the alliance was simultaneously poor. Conversely, a good alliance seemed to buffer the adverse effects of psychopathy. No differential associations were found for PCL-R Factor 1 and Factor 2, and the moderation model held for both client-rated as well as therapist-rated alliance. Implications for improving treatment programs for psychopathic patients are discussed.

PMID:40293132 | DOI:10.1177/0306624X251337484