Adaptive psychopathic traits: Positive outcomes in a college student sample

Abstract

The presence of positive outcomes observed in some individuals with high psychopathic traits remains relatively unexplained. This study aimed at examining the contribution of specific adaptive psychopathic traits to the emergence of positive behavioral and psychopathological consequences. Participants were 2291 French college students who completed self-report questionnaires assessing negative and adaptive psychopathic traits and psychopathological variables. A cluster analysis based on the negative and adaptive psychopathic traits total scores yielded four distinct groups characterized by moderate negative traits and low adaptive traits (moderate negative psychopathic traits cluster; NP), low negative and adaptive traits (low traits cluster; LT), low negative traits and moderate adaptive traits (adaptive psychopathic traits cluster; AP) and high negative and adaptive traits (high traits cluster; HT). Comparisons between clusters suggested that adaptive psychopathic traits were associated with decreased levels of perceived stress, depression and suicidal ideation. However, the frequency of prosocial and antisocial behaviors was not affected by the presence of adaptive traits. Our results provide important information for assessment and treatment of the negative consequences of psychopathic traits.