Can Psychopathic Traits be Adaptive? Sex Differences in Relations between Psychopathy and Emotional Distress

Authors

  • Janko Međedović Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade
  • Anja Wertag Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb
  • Katarina Sokić EFFECTUS University College for Law and Finance, Zagreb

Keywords:

psychopathic traits, emotional distress, gender differences

Abstract

One of the most prominent models of psychopathy operationalizes this construct as consisting of four factors: interpersonal, affective, lifestyle and antisocial traits. These traits show different relationship patterns with other constructs, and these relations may differ in men and women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the relations between psychopathic traits and indicators of emotional distress (depression, anxiety and stress), differ between men and women. Data was collected on 650 students (60% women) at the University of Zagreb. The results of Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that affective psychopathic traits have adaptive potential and represent a protective factor for experiencing emotional distress, while Lifestyle and Antisocial behavior represent risk factors for emotional distress. Moreover, sex had a moderating role in the relationship between Interpersonal and Lifestyle traits and distress, indicating that psychopathic traits seem to be more adaptive in males, compared to females.

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Published

2018-12-13

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Section

Articles