Psychopathy, Traumatic Exposure, and Lifetime Posttraumatic Stress

Abstract

This study examined two theoretical models on the interaction between psychopathy, traumatic exposure, and lifetime posttraumatic stress in a sample of 81 male detainees. In Model 1, the interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy were assumed to protect against posttraumatic stress. In Model 2, the lifestyle and antisocial traits of psychopathy were assumed to lead to a lifestyle that increases the risk of traumatic exposure and subsequent posttraumatic stress. The authors found significant negative bivariate associations between Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) total, Interpersonal and Affective facet scores, and posttraumatic stress. Model 1 was confirmed, as they found the interaction between the Affective facet and traumatic exposure had a significant negative effect on posttraumatic stress. Model 2 was rejected. The authors' findings confirm that the interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy are associated with an emotional deficit and that the affective features of psychopathy are crucial for understanding the relationship between psychopathy and anxiety.

Facets of psychopathy in relation to trauma-exposure and posttraumatic stress symptomology in a sample of incarcerated male offenders

“…The findings support our hypothesis that the two psychopathy facets (primary and secondary) would have differential associations with PTSD symptomology, although the direct relationship between primary psychopathy and PTSD symptomology was not statistically significant in either step of the analysis. The non-significant association between primary psychopathy and PTSD symptoms further supports the growing literature that suggests that primary psychopathic traits might protect individuals from the impact of traumatic exposure (Sellbom, 2015;Willemsen et al, 2012). Our results also indicated somewhat unexpectedly that trauma exposure was strongly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms for low levels of secondary psychopathy and negatively associated with PTSD symptomology for individuals with high levels of secondary psychopathy.…”

“…Consequently, primary psychopathic traits might protect individuals from the impact of traumatic exposure as they may mean that individuals are less likely to develop conditioned fear, to avoid unpleasant stimuli, and to focus on threat stimuli, the impact of traumatic exposure may be less significant for them. In line with this proposition, research has shown that primary psychopathy traits are negatively associated with PTSD (Pham, 2012;Willemsen et al, 2012), and that such traits are protective against development of this disorder when an individual is exposed to trauma (Willemsen et al, 2012). …”

“…The association between these constructs, however, is complex and not yet fully understood (Sellbom, 2015). Some researchers have argued that the two should not co-occur due to the fact that psychopathy is associated with reduced threat-sensitivity and poor fear conditioning (neutral stimuli present during the traumatic event acquire fear-eliciting properties through association with the traumatic event); whereas, PTSD is associated with heightened threat-sensitivity (Cleckley, 1941(Cleckley, , 1976Blair & Mitchell, 2009;Willemsen, De Ganck, & Verhaeghe, 2012). Indeed, Blair and Mitchell (2009) concluded that psychopathy is in some respects the functional inverse of PTSD.…”

Elucidating the Complex Associations between Psychopathy and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the Perspective of Trait Negative Affectivity

“…More specific examination of the psychopathy facets in these studies indicates that this positive association is entirely due to disinhibitory psychopathy traits (i.e., impulsivity, irresponsibility, sensation seeking, poor anger control; e.g., Blonigen et al, 2012;Patrick, Fowles, & Krueger, 2009). Subsequent research has shown that affective-interpersonal psychopathy traits (i.e., callousness, lack of empathy, remorselessness, shallow affect, grandiosity, deceitfulness, fearlessness, e.g., ) are negatively associated with PTSD (Pham, 2012;Willemsen et al, 2012), and that such traits are protective against development of this disorder when an individual is exposed to trauma (Willemsen et al, 2012).…”

“…The association between these conditions, however, is complex. Some argue that they should not co-occur due to the fact that psychopathy is associated with reduced threat-sensitivity and poor fear conditioning, whereas PTSD is associated with heightened threat-sensitivity (Blair & Mitchell, 2009;Palermo, 2012;Willemsen, De Ganck, & Verhaeghe, 2012). Others contend that these disorders tend to both be associated with substantial histories of trauma exposure and should thus co-occur as a result (Frick et al, 1999).…”