Exploring Adult Personality and Psychopathy Tendencies in Former Childhood Hyperactive Delinquent Males

Abstract

The focus of this article is on (1) the possible influence of childhood hyperactive behavior on adult psychopathy, and (2) how adult, clinically rated, psychopathy tendencies are related to self-reported personality. The sample comprised 152 male subjects, including young lawbreakers (n = 98) and controls (n = 54), prospectively studied over their lifetime. Ratings of childhood behavior were obtained from a psychiatrist and data on adult personality (using the Karolinska Scales of Personality and a shortened form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire) and psychopathy were obtained using the Psychopathy Check List (PCL). Subjects with high PCL as adults (n = 36) scored higher than low PCL subjects (n = 116) on the majority of the personality dimensions studied, even when controlling for criminality. Former childhood hyperactive subjects (n = 26) displayed higher impulsivity and hostility than nonhyperactive subjects (n = 126) when criminality was controlled for. Among the high PCL group subjects there was an overrepresentation of childhood hyperactive males. They displayed significantly higher impulsivity and verbal aggression than their respective nonhyperactive counterparts and were characterized by extreme scores on several psychopathy-related personality scales. Further, there was a significant interaction effect between hyperactivity and PCL on the narrow/noninclusive form of impulsivity. The findings of the present personality-based approach were in favor of childhood hyperactivity being crucial as a risk indicator in the development of psychopathic tendencies.