Experiências adversas na infância, histórico infracional familiar e traços subclínicos de personalidade em mulheres em situação de privação de liberdade

Abstract

The growth of the female population deprived of liberty in recent decades has increased scientific interest in these women’s experiences as a means of contextualizing this complex reality. In this context, the present study investigated the relationships among adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), family criminal history, and subclinical personality traits, including characteristics associated with subclinical psychopathy, in women deprived of liberty. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study included 89 women aged 21 to 68 years (M = 38.91; SD = 10.19) in a progressive custody regime at the Centro de Integração Social (CIS), located in southern Brazil. The following instruments were used: Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), Family Criminal History Inventory (IHIF), Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2), Expanded Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (E-LSRP), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, with bootstrapping to obtain 95% confidence intervals. The results indicated ACEs, with the highest raw mean scores for sexual abuse, collective violence, and physical neglect. All participants reported at least one family member with a criminal history. On the IDCP-2, the highest mean scores were observed for Anxiety, Superiority, and Impulsiveness, whereas on the E-LSRP, the Antisocial factor had the highest mean score, followed by Callousness and Egocentricity. Domestic violence, emotional neglect, community violence, and collective violence were associated with predominantly externalizing traits, including Aggressiveness, Antagonism, Violence, Inconsequence, Impulsiveness, and Risk-Taking. Relationships were also observed between family criminal history and different ACEs, particularly bullying and sexual abuse. Family criminal history was significantly correlated with Aggressiveness, Antagonism, Violence, Inconsequence, and Impulsiveness on the IDCP-2. No significant relationships were observed between the E-LSRP factors and either ACEs or family criminal history. The findings broaden the understanding of the relationships among the variables investigated in women deprived of liberty and point to the importance of coordinated protection and support efforts across family, community, educational, health, and social assistance settings, considering vulnerabilities and the potential repercussions of adverse experiences throughout development. In the prison context, the findings highlight the relevance of psychosocial interventions sensitive to the specific needs of these women, with attention to mental health, strengthening social bonds, and social reintegration.