Clarifying the associations between individual differences in general attachment styles and psychopathy

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Attachment Theory

Background:

• The relationship between general attachment styles and psychopathy remains unclear.
• Attachment theory offers potential insights into psychopathy's interpersonal traits and origins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the associations between individual differences in general attachment styles and psychopathy.
• To replicate findings across different measures and community samples.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from Australian (N=249) and U.S. (N=292) community samples.
• Utilized validated measures for psychopathy (Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, Expanded-Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scales) and attachment styles (Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised-General Short Form, Attachment Styles Questionnaire).

Main Results:

• The psychopathy domain of boldness showed a consistent negative association with insecure attachment.
• Psychopathy's affective domain (meanness, callousness) was consistently linked to avoidant attachment.
• Psychopathy's behavioral domain (disinhibition, antisociality) was consistently linked to insecure attachment, especially anxious attachment.

Conclusions:

• Consistent associations exist between general attachment styles and psychopathy in adult community samples.
• Findings support the consideration of attachment theory in future psychopathy research.