Intergenerational transmission of psychopathy and mediation via psychosocial risk factors

Abstract

Introduction Intergenerational continuities in criminal behaviour have been well documented, but the familial nature of psychopathic personality is less well understood. Objectives To establish if there is an association between the psychopathic traits of a community sample of males and their offspring and whether psychosocial risk factors mediate. Methods Participants of the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development ( n =478 dyads) were assessed for psychopathy using the PCL: SV. Multilevel regression models were used to investigate intergenerational continuity and mediation models examined indirect effects. Results The fathers' psychopathy was transmitted to both sons and daughters. The transmission of Factor 1 scores was mediated via the father's employment problems. For males, the Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' drug use, accommodation and employment problems, for females, Factor 2 scores were mediated via the father's employment problems. Conclusions Understanding of the specific role of certain psychosocial risk factors may be useful in developing preventative measures.