THE STABILITY OF PSYCHOPATHY FROM ADOLESCENCE INTO ADULTHOOD: The Search for Moderators

Abstract

This study examines moderators of the relation between psychopathy assessed at age 13 using the mother-reported Childhood Psychopathy Scale and psychopathy assessed at age 24 using the interviewer-rated Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV). Data from more than 250 participants of the middle sample of the Pittsburgh Youth Study were used. Thirteen potential moderators were examined, including demographics (i.e., race, family structure, family socioeconomic status [SES], and neighborhood SES), parenting factors (physical punishment, inconsistent discipline, lax supervision, and positive parenting), peer delinquency, own delinquency, and other individual differences (i.e., verbal IQ, behavioral impulsivity, and cognitive impulsivity). Moderators were examined for the total psychopathy score at age 24 as well as for each of the four PCL:SV facets. After relaxing the criterion for statistical significance, 8 out of a possible 65 interactions were statistically significant. Implications of the present findings and future directions are discussed.

Figure 1. Interaction Between CPS Scores at Age 13 and Family SES in Predicting Scores on Facet 3 of the PCL:SV at Age 24

Note. High and low values of the predictors correspond to 1 standard deviation greater than and less than the sample means, respectively. PCL:SV = Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version; CPS = Childhood Psychopathy Scale; SES = socioeconomic status.

Figure 2. Interaction Between CPS Scores at Age 13 and Use of Physical Punishment in Predicting Scores on Facet 4 of the PCL:SV at Age 24

Note. High and low values of the predictors correspond to 1 standard deviation greater than and less than the sample means, respectively. PCL:SV = Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version; CPS = Childhood Psychopathy Scale.

Figure 3. Interaction Between CPS Scores at Age 13 and Peer Delinquency in Predicting Scores on Facet 4 of the PCL:SV at Age 24

Note. High and low values of the predictors correspond to 1 standard deviation greater than and less than the sample means, respectively. PCL:SV = Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version; CPS = Childhood Psychopathy Scale; SES = socioeconomic status.