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Psychopathic personality in children: genetic and environmental contributions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2010

S. Bezdjian ,
A. Raine ,
L. A. Baker  and
D. R. Lynam
S. Bezdjian*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
A. Raine
Affiliation:
Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
L. A. Baker
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
D. R. Lynam
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr S. Bezdjian, University of Southern California, Department of Psychology (SGM 501), Los Angeles, CA 90089-1061, USA. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

The current study investigates whether the underlying factor structure of psychopathic personality traits found in adults is similar to that in children and what the extent of the genetic and environmental influences are on these psychopathic traits.

Method

Psychopathic personality traits were assessed in a community sample of 1219 twins and triplets (age 9–10 years) through caregiver reports of each child's behavior using the Child Psychopathy Scale (CPS).

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses revealed an optimal two-factor solution (callous/disinhibited and manipulative/deceitful) to the CPS subscales. Bivariate genetic modeling of the two computed factor scores revealed significant genetic as well as unique environmental influences on psychopathic personality traits in both boys and girls, with heritability estimates of 0.64 and 0.46, respectively, in boys and 0.49 and 0.58, respectively, in girls. No shared environmental influences on psychopathic personality traits were found.

Conclusions

The relationship between the two factors was mediated by both genetic and unique environmental factors common to both traits.

Keywords

Heritabilitypsychopathic personality traitssex differencesyoung twins
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 3 , March 2011 , pp. 589 - 600
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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