| Summary: | Purpose
This present study seeks to investigate the relationship between autistic-like traits and empathy deficits among male adolescent offenders and non-offenders.
Methods
59 non-offenders and 11 offenders, aged 16-25 with no official diagnosis of autism, were recruited to complete self-reported questionnaires that measured their level of autistic-like traits, general empathy, and empathy towards specific victims in hypothetical scenarios. Due to the limited sample size, non-parametric tests were favoured to compare the scores on the different measures between offenders and non-offenders.
Results
Offenders were found to have higher levels of autistic-like traits than non-offenders. However, this significance was only marginal. Offenders scored significantly lower in their general empathy scores than non-offenders. No difference was found between both groups’ empathic level towards specific victims in the hypothetical scenarios. In addition, regression analysis revealed that both offending status and autistic-like traits were significant predictors of general empathy scores. However, there was no interaction effect between autistic-like traits and offending status on participants’ empathy.
Conclusions
Offenders were generally less empathic than non offenders. Moreover, level of autistic-like traits appeared to significantly influence one’s ability to
recognize and understand others’ feelings and perspectives. Due to the study’s limited sample size, generalisability of the results is an issue. Further research is recommended to determine if different sub-groups of offenders (i.e., non-sexual and sexual offenders) differ in autistic-like traits and empathy levels; and if empathy is a causal risk factor of one’s offending.
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