Presence Of Psychopathic Traits Research Articles

Adverse childhood experiences and coping strategies: do they make a difference in psychopathic traits and altruism for young adults?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been frequently associated with the presence of psychopathic traits and low levels of altruism. However, there are psychological factors such as coping strategies and demographic variables (sex and socioeconomic status) that can also influence psychopathic and altruistic traits. This study explored the impact of ACEs on psychopathic and altruistic traits, considering participants’ coping strategies, in an underexplored population. A total of 420 young Spanish adults (18–20 years old, M = 18.92; SD = 0.77) completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, the Youth Psychopathic Inventory, the Altruistic Scale, and the Brief Coping Scale. Linear regression and comparative qualitative (fsQCA models) analyses indicated that total ACEs and avoidant emotion-focused coping (especially among males) were associated with higher psychopathic traits. Conversely, total ACEs and problem-focused coping (particularly among females) were linked to altruism. FsQCA models extended these findings, incorporating high SES to these previous profiles when predicting psychopathy and altruism. Thus, it is crucial to promote secure environments in childhood that facilitate the development of adaptive coping strategies. These strategies can mitigate the long-term effects of ACEs, reducing the likelihood of developing psychopathic traits while simultaneously increasing altruism.

Peer-delivered training of criminal offenders for aggression and distress management: a new approach in social treatment in prisons in Serbia

ABSTRACT Peer-delivered training of criminal offenders for aggression control and distress management was implemented for the first time in Correction Facility in Niš, Serbia. The aim of the manuscript is to present the method of the peer-delivered training and to evaluate the change in the levels of aggression and distress reaction of the participants after completing the program. In the first phase, prison administration chose offenders who completed training for the peer-workers, supervised by engaged professionals. In the second phase, those six convicts trained the sample of 106 fellow prisoners, randomly assigned to the program, through 12 workshops in order to learn and recognize their own dysfunctional reactions and to adapt social desirable behaviour. An independent evaluator compared pre to post-training differences in levels of aggression and distress also presence of psychopathic traits, and socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects, using Buss & Perry Aggression Scale, Psychopathic Personality Traits Scale DS-14 Questionnaire and Socio-demographic Questionnaire. Results indicate increased levels of aggression and decreased levels of distress after the training. Prisoners with longer sentences had increased levels of anger, physical, verbal aggression, psychopathic traits and distress compared to subgroup with sentences shorter than 5 years. Program is beneficial for prisoners with sentences less than 5 years and with high education level.

Self-report psychopathy-III facet scores predict sexual crimes, sexual preferences, and sexual deviance index validity more precisely than total scores.

Understanding the profiles of sexual offenders, such as the presence of psychopathic traits, is key to preventing future sexual crimes. The self-report psychopathy-III (SRP-III) is a tool used to assess the characteristics of psychopathy, but improvements on its interpretation are required to maximize its precision. The SRP-III can be interpreted by examining the scores on each of the four facets (interpersonal manipulation, callous affect, erratic lifestyle, antisocial behavior), on each of two factors (factor 1, factor 2), or by examining the total score. Here, we investigate the interpretation of the results from the SRP-III using these three approaches of analysis of the data for predicting types of sexual crimes, sexually deviant preferences (measured via PPG), and the validity of the sexual deviance results. Logistic regressions were carried out using either the four facets, two factors, or the total score of the SRP-III. Data were previously obtained from 198 Canadian men who were convicted of, or who admitted to committing, at least one sexual crime, or who reported experiencing sexually deviant fantasies. We also examined the point-biserial correlations between each of the methods of interpreting the SRP-III results and each of the dependent variables. We find that SRP-III facet scores most precisely predict types of sexual crimes, sexually deviant preferences, and sexual deviance index validity, followed by SRP-III factor scores, and lastly SRP-III total scores. Additionally, significant correlations are only found between SRP-III scores and one dependent variable. Potential reasons for this are discussed. Based on these findings, we recommend that future studies consider facet and factor scores in addition to the standard practice of examining total scores.

Relationship Between Psychopathic Traits and the Quality of Student-Teacher Relationship in Children

ABSTRACT The study aimed to analyze in a sample of 200 students (10 to 12 years) from middle schools in Portugal the association between the quality of the student-teacher relationship and the presence of psychopathic traits. Findings suggested the existence of differences in the presence of psychopathic traits and in the quality of the student-teacher relationship regarding sex; that conflict relationship between teacher-student is positively associated with psychopathic traits; a conflicting relationship between teacher-student appears to predict the presence of psychopathic traits. It is necessary to work with the school community with the aim of optimizing relationships and preventing behavioral problems..

Risky Sexual Behavior and Psychopathy: Testing the Relationship in a Non-Clinical Sample of Young Adults in Hong Kong.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between risky sexual behavior (RSB) and psychopathy in a non-clinical sample of 714 Hong Kong adults, shedding light on sex differences. Our findings reveal that males exhibit significantly higher mean levels of RSB (general, penetrative, and nonpenetrative), as well as egocentric (Factor 1) and callous (Factor 3) traits of psychopathy, along with increased sexual desire compared to females. Regression analyses indicate that elevated levels of antisociality (Factor 2) and callousness (Factor 3) traits of psychopathy, along with sexual desire, emerge as significant risk factors for engaging in general, penetrative, and nonpenetrative RSB. Intriguingly, higher age and being in a long-term relationship are associated with RSB. The implications of this study suggest potential avenues for reducing, if not entirely preventing, the inclination to engage in RSB in the presence of psychopathic traits.

The Emotionally Sensitive Child-Adverse Parenting Experiences-Allostatic (Over)Load (ESCAPE-AL) Model for the Development of Secondary Psychopathic Traits.

Understanding and treatment of antisocial behavior have improved through efforts to subtype individuals based on similar risk factors and outcomes. In particular, the presence of psychopathic traits is associated with distinct etiological factors and antisocial behavior that begins early in life, is aggressive, persistent, and less likely to normalize with traditional treatments, relative to individuals low on psychopathy or its childhood precursor, callous-unemotional (CU) traits. However, important distinctions can be made within individuals with CU/psychopathic traits according to the presence of elevated anxiety symptoms and/or adverse childhood experiences, known as secondary psychopathy/CU traits. This paper provides a broad and brief overview of theory and empirical literature supporting the existence of secondary psychopathy/CU variants as a distinct subtype of childhood antisocial behavior. It outlines the Emotionally Sensitive Child-Adverse Parenting Experiences-Allostatic (Over)Load (ESCAPE-AL) model for the developmental psychopathology of secondary psychopathic/CU traits and discusses research and theory supporting this perspective. Future research directions for testing this conceptual model and its implications for assessing and treating high-risk individuals with secondary CU/psychopathic traits are discussed.

Recidivism risk in male adult sex offenders with psychopathic traits assessed by PCL-R: A systematic review.

Psychopathy has been empirically associated with various forms of antisocial behavior including sexual assault. In fact, the lack of empathy characterizing psychopathic offenders may facilitate the perpetration of more extreme violence. This systematic review aims to explore the relationship between psychopathy traits in male adult sex offenders and the increase in recidivism risk for any type of reoffence, with a special focus on sexual recidivism. From an initial sample of 757 articles related to the topic, only 14 were selected from the current literature at the end of the inclusion process. Each of these assessed the relation between psychopathy traits (measured by PCL-R) and recidivism risk in male sex offenders (age > 18), providing an effect size (quantitative findings). The results of their analysis agree with the currently available literature: the presence of psychopathic traits in sex offenders would seem to correlate with an increased risk of recidivism of general but non-sexual. Furthermore, almost half of the included works highlighted a positive relationship between psychopathy and violent reoffences. However, the limited availability of studies and the unevenness in their results indicate the need to expand future research in this direction.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS: THE PERSPECTIVE OF BELGIAN PRACTITIONERS

The literature on restorative justice practices and more specifically victim-offender mediation in psychopathic individuals is scarce. At first glance, restorative justice practices might not be possible or useful when dealing with psychopathic offenders due to inherent characteristics they possess. The present study examined the possibility and usefulness of restorative justice practices in Flanders (i.e. victim-offender mediation) with psychopathic offenders. It focused on how practitioners think and feel about working with psychopathic offenders during victim-offender mediation. Understanding if and how this practice can be used with psychopathic individuals can contribute to the literature of restorative justice in general. Practitioners are mostly unaware of the presence of mental health problems at the start of the process. However, despite the presence of dysfunctional traits such as psychopathic traits, most facilitators argued that everyone should be able to get involved in victim-offender mediation. Victim-offender mediation is possible and may be useful for everyone involved. Despite the presence of psychopathic traits, it are the expectations of both the victim and offender about the mediation process that is of uttermost importance. Both expectations need to align with one another in order for the mediation to be successful.

Psychopathic Traits and Cyber Dating Abuse: Mediating Effect of Internet Addiction in a University Student Sample

ABSTRACT Young adults are highly involved on the Internet. However, an excessive involvement can lead to Internet addiction. The literature reveals that the presence of psychopathic traits is associated with a greater predisposition to develop an addiction. With technologies, a new form of dating abuse has emerged – cyber abuse. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the associations between the variables under study and to test the mediating effect of Internet addiction between psychopathy and cyber dating abuse. The sample consisted of 249 university students (M = 21.38; SD = 4.52), in Portugal. The Self-Report Psychopathy Scale – III (SRP-III), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire (CDAQ) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used as instruments. The main results suggest that Internet addiction partially mediated the relationship between psychopathy and victimization (β = .277; p = .007) and perpetration (β = .243; p = .015) of cyber dating abuse. It is possible to emphasize the importance of the preponderance of psychopathy in the development of addiction and cyber abuse. The results also demonstrated that Internet addiction is influenced by psychopathic traits and that, consequently, it influences cyber dating abuse.

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Psychopathy: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the physical, sexual, and psychological abuse of an intimate partner and is a widespread, international public health crisis. An important proximate risk factor for IPV perpetration is the presence of psychopathic traits but there has not been a systematic review of the research linking psychopathic traits to IPV perpetration. We identified 43 studies using 13,476 participants (9,024 men and 4,452 women) across 10 countries that met our search criteria that led to the following conclusions. First, psychopathy was associated with IPV perpetration with medium effect sizes, even after accounting for various distal and proximate risk factors. Second, the different dimensions of psychopathy did not consistently differ in their prediction of IPV perpetration. Third, within individuals with a history of IPV perpetration, psychopathy did not relate to the frequency or severity of partner violence. Fourth, a few studies have tested the associations among child abuse, psychopathy, and IPV, with one study reporting that the combination of child abuse and psychopathic traits led to especially high risk for IPV perpetration. Lastly, we conclude by making recommendations for how future research and interventions should consider psychopathy to reduce the societal burden of IPV.

Psychopathic Traits' Differential Relations With Aggression Forms: Considering the Roles of Gender and Gender Role Adherence

Research has yielded inconsistent findings between psychopathy and aggression, with findings varying as a function of type of psychopathic trait (i.e., affective, behavioral) and aggression form (i.e., physical, relational). Although some research has explored the role of gender in these relations, gender role adherence has received scant attention. Using an undergraduate sample (N = 320), we aimed to clarify mixed findings on how psychopathic traits relate to aggression forms across males and females; examine how psychopathic traits relate to gender role adherence; and ascertain the roles of gender and gender role adherence in the relations between psychopathic traits and aggression. Psychopathic traits manifested differential relations with gender role adherence such that Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R) Fearless Dominance was most strongly and positively associated with Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) Masculinity, whereas PPI-R Self-Centered Impulsivity and Coldheartedness were negatively associated with BSRI Femininity. BSRI Masculinity and Femininity were uniquely and differentially associated with aggression forms, and remained associated with aggression forms above and beyond both psychopathy and gender. In addition, BSRI Masculinity moderated the relations between PPI-R Self-Centered Impusivity and physical aggression such that those high in both Masculinity and Self-Centered Impulsivity were most prone to physical aggression. In contrast, although BSRI Femininity was negatively associated with aggression, it did not buffer against aggression in the presence of psychopathic traits. Overall, our results underscore the importance of considering gender role adherence in understanding differences in psychopathy and aggression.

Influence of allelic variations in relation to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors on psychopathic traits: a pilot study.

BackgroundPast findings support a relationship between abnormalities in the amygdala and the presence of psychopathic traits. Among other genes and biomarkers relevant to the amygdala, norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors might both play a role in psychopathy due to their association with traits peripheral to psychopathy. The purpose is to examine if allelic variations in single nucleotide polymorphisms related to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors play a role in the display of psychopathic traits and executive functions.MethodsFifty-seven healthy participants from the community provided a saliva sample for SNP sampling of rs5522 and rs5569. Participants then completed the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Short Form (PPI-SF) and the Tower of Hanoi.ResultsAllelic variations of both rs5522 and rs5569 were significant when compared to PPI-SF total score and the fearless dominance component of the PPI-SF. A significant result was also obtained between rs5522 and the number of moves needed to complete the 5-disk Tower of Hanoi.ConclusionThis pilot study offers preliminary results regarding the effect of allelic variations in SNPs related to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors on the presence of psychopathic traits. Suggestions are provided to enhance the reliability and validity of a larger-scale study.

Negative attitudes towards psychopaths: The role of one's own psychopathic traits

Personality disorders, such as psychopathy, have a long history of stigmatization. Psychopaths are continually presented as criminals and feared due to their supposed aggressive tendencies, stemming from the excessive labelling of murderers as psychopaths by the media and popular culture. While previous research demonstrates the extent to which individuals stigmatize psychopaths, it is not yet known if psychopaths stigmatize other psychopaths. We hypothesized that individuals who displayed a high level of psychopathic traits, especially in adaptive components, would exhibit less stigma-related behaviors towards psychopaths. One hundred and sixteen participants (N=116) from the community completed three questionnaires assessing their expression of psychopathic personality traits and stigma towards psychopaths. The presence of psychopathic traits, particularly those related to boldness, was negatively correlated with the degree of stigmatizing behaviors towards psychopaths. Findings are explained in terms of identification with psychopaths and the fearlessness component of psychopathy.

Violent Female Youth: An Examination of Instrumental Violence, Psychopathy, and Offense Characteristics

Female youth are a strikingly under-studied population within the accumulated forensic literature, yet they represent a significant and growing population within forensic contexts. Despite research demonstrating a relationship between the presence of psychopathic traits and instrumental violence among adult offenders, researchers have only recently begun to examine this relationship among juvenile offenders. Our investigation of this potential relationship among a large sample of female offenders (N = 145) who had committed a violent offense revealed that youths with more psychopathic traits were not significantly more likely to use instrumental violence in the commission of their crimes than those with less psychopathic traits. The findings are discussed in terms of offense severity, and a comprehensive overview of female youths' specific motivations and offense characteristics are provided. Research directions and clinical implications are discussed.

Psychometric Properties of the Antisocial Process Screening Device in a Non-Clinical Sample of Turkish Children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD; Frick and Hare, 2002) to be used with non-clinical Turkish samples. APSD is a 20-item scale that evaluates antisocial behaviors and the presence of psychopathic traits in children between 6-13 years of age. Study 1 was designed to check the internal consistency and test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities. Despite satisfactory test-retest and inter-rater reliability coefficients, the Cronbach alpha coefficients of the Callous Unemotional (CU) dimension were very low in all the three forms (parent, teacher, and combined). Study 2 was designed to check the internal consistency after conducting the revisions and also validity analyses, mainly by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1997). Consequently, the Turkish version of APSD showed reliable and valid results to evaluate the psychopathic traits and antisocial behaviors of the children between 8-11 years of age in the non-clinical Turkish sample.

Psychopathic Traits and Suicidal Ideation in High-School Students

The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of psychopathic traits in the prediction of suicidal ideation among non-clinical non-forensic adolescents. A sample of 312 high-school students completed questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, borderline personality traits, and cannabis use and the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory (YPI, Andershed, Kerr, Stattin et al., 2002), which consists of three dimensions, the Interpersonal subscale (grandiosity, manipulation), the Affective subscale (callousness, unemotionality), and the Behavioral subscale (impulsiveness, irresponsibility). A multiple regression analysis showed that the affective component of psychopathic traits was an independent predictor of suicidal ideation. Our results suggest that clinicians should not assume that the presence of psychopathic traits in adolescent is a protection against suicidal ideation.