About this research stream

Acts of aggression and violence — including assault, homicide and sexual violence — represent some of the most harmful of all antisocial behaviours. They are associated with substantial personal and social harms and have an enormous financial impact, costing economies billions of dollars each year in health care, legal and justice system costs, absenteeism from work and lost productivity.

Given the extent of the burden resulting from aggression and violence and the large proportion of prisoner populations who have been convicted of violent crimes, it is critical we devote attention and resources to the development of violence prevention and intervention programs. 

Our research into aggression and violence focuses on: 

  • understanding aggression and violent behaviour and its relationship with mental disorder 
  • improving the assessment, treatment and management of people with a history of acting violently
  • enhancing the assessment of risk for violent offending 
  • developing and refining theories of violence and testing the utility of these theories in clinical and forensic practice

Current and recent projects 

Our projects include studies exploring: 

  • ways of engaging and working with people who have behaved violently
  • the relationship between personality disorder and violence 
  • violence risk assessment and management procedures

Relevant publications 

Dunne, A.L., Gilbert, F., & Daffern, M. (2018). Investigating the relationship between DSM-5 Personality Disorder Domains and Facets and Aggression in an Offender Population using the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5. Journal of Personality Disorders, 32(5), 668-693. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2017_31_322 

Papalia, N., Spivak, B., Daffern, M. & Ogloff, J.R.P. (2019). A meta-analytic review of the efficacy of psychological treatments for violent offenders in correctional and forensic mental health settings. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 26(2), e12282. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12282 

Dunne, A.L., Lee, S., Lloyd, C. & Daffern, M. (2020). Associations between the DSM-5 alternative model of antisocial personality disorder, psychopathic specifier, and psychopathy-related facets with aggression in a sample of incarcerated males. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 11(2), 108-118, doi.org/10.1037/per0000369

Roberton, T. & Daffern, M. (2020). Precipitants to aggression and warning signs among older adults in residential facilities. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 51. doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2020.101364.

Griffith, J.J., Meyer, D., Maguire, T., Ogloff, J.R.P. & Daffern, M. (2021). Testing a clinical decision support system to prevent aggression and reduce restrictive practices in a forensic mental health service. Psychiatric Services, 72(8), 885-890.  doi-org.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/10.1176/appi.ps.202000315

Simmons, M. L., Ogloff, J. R. P., & Daffern, M. (2022). Investigating the dynamic nature of multiple risk assessment instruments in a forensic mental health hospital. Psychological Assessment. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1037/pas0001174

Maguire, T., McKenna, B. & Daffern. M. (2022). Establishing best practice in violence risk assessment and violence prevention education for nurses working in mental health units. Nurse Education in Practice, 61. DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103335

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Contact the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science

There are many ways to engage with us. Whether you’re a student, from the media or an organisation interested in our professional development and training programs or consulting services, contact us on +61 3 9214 3887 or via cfbs@swinburne.edu.au. 

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