Katherine M Auty1, David P Farrington1, Jeremy W Coid1. 1. Katherine M. Auty, PhD, David P. Farrington, PhD, Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University, Cambridge; Jeremy W. Coid, MD, Violence Prevention Research Unit, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary College, University of London, London.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intergenerational continuities in criminal behaviour have been well documented, but the familial nature of psychopathic personality is less well understood. AIMS: To establish if there is an association between the psychopathic traits of a community sample of men and their offspring and whether psychosocial risk factors mediate this. METHOD: 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 fathers' employment problems. For male offspring, the Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' drug use, accommodation and employment problems. For female offspring, Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' employment problems. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding of the specific role of certain psychosocial risk factors may be useful in developing preventive measures for the development of psychopathy. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
BACKGROUND: Intergenerational continuities in criminal behaviour have been well documented, but the familial nature of psychopathic personality is less well understood. AIMS: To establish if there is an association between the psychopathic traits of a community sample of men and their offspring and whether psychosocial risk factors mediate this. METHOD: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 fathers' employment problems. For male offspring, the Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' drug use, accommodation and employment problems. For female offspring, Factor 2 scores were mediated via the fathers' employment problems. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding of the specific role of certain psychosocial risk factors may be useful in developing preventive measures for the development of psychopathy. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Authors: H Hachtel; N Jenkel; K Schmeck; M Graf; J M Fegert; M Schmid; C Boonmann Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2022-06-28 Impact factor: 7.494