Structural Equation Modelling of Primary and Secondary Vulnerability of Psychopathic Disorder based on Behavioral Brain Systems in Medical Students

Abstract

Background. The level of activity of behavioral brain systems is one of the effective factors in the occurrence or persistence psychopathic behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to structurally model primary and secondary psychopathic disorder based on behavioral brain systems. Methods. This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of correlational research method. The statistical population of this study includes all medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 284 subjects were selected as a sample by convenience sampling method and they performed Lonson, Kiel and Fetispatrick Psychopathy Scale and the Carver and White Brain-Behavioral Systems Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modelling with SPSS software version 24 and LISREL version 8.80. Results. The results showed that the behavioral activation system has a positive and significant relationship with primary and secondary psychopathy and the behavioral inhibition system has a negative and significant relationship with primary and secondary psychopathy (P <0.01). The results of structural equation model showed that behavioral activator system and behavioral inhibition system have an effective role on primary and secondary psychopathy (P <0.01). Also, the results of structural equation model showed acceptable model (2/df= 2.50, RMSEA= 0.075, CFI= 0.96, NFI= 0.94, GFI= 0.94). Conclusion. According to the function of activating systems and behavioral inhibition, pathological personality traits can be oriented or corrected before the formation and stabilization of these traits.