INTEGRATION OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHO-NEUROPATHOLOGY APPROACHES IN THE STUDY OF PERSONS PRONE TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

Abstract

The article explores the potential of integrating approaches from health psychology and pathopsychology to deepen the understanding of personal and psychophysiological factors underlying violent behavior. Health psychology, focused on promoting well-being, developing adaptive resources, and fostering constructive coping strategies, offers valuable tools for analyzing the positive dimensions of mental functioning. In contrast, pathopsychology emphasizes the mechanisms of psychological dysfunction – such as emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, impulsivity, and deficits in self-control –that may contribute to the emergence of destructive tendencies. The synthesis of these two scientific perspectives enables a holistic examination of both the strengths and vulnerabilities of individuals prone to aggression. This research explores the intricate connections between an individual’s mental well-being, resilience to stress, emotional regulation, and specific cognitive patterns, such as a propensity for overgeneralization, dichotomous thinking, and a bias towards interpreting ambiguous stimuli as threatening. The central thesis is that a holistic assessment, encompassing both psychological strengths and potential pathopsychological vulnerabilities, is essential for accurately identifying predictors of violent behavior and for designing tailored preventive and therapeutic interventions. Significant emphasis is placed on the moderating roles of empathy, social competencies, the strength of interpersonal bonds, and contextual influences, which can collectively suppress or amplify aggressive inclinations. The study advocates for robust interdisciplinary cooperation among psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and public health specialists. This collaborative model is posited not only to deepen the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying deviant behavior but also to foster the development of effective strategies for early risk identification, violence mitigation, and the enhancement of individual psychological fortitude.