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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
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Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Relationship of nailbiting to sociopathy
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Nailbiting is significantly more common in individuals with sociopathy compared to controls. This finding highlights a potential link between nailbiting, anxiety, and primary sociopathy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Nailbiting is a common habit with potential psychological underpinnings.
- Sociopathy, characterized by antisocial behavior, warrants investigation into associated habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of nailbiting in sociopathic individuals versus a matched control group.
- To explore the relationship between nailbiting and anxiety in primary sociopathy.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 62 sociopath subjects and 62 matched nonsociopath controls.
- Utilized the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire for data collection.
Main Results:
- The incidence of nailbiting was significantly higher in primary sociopaths (48%) compared to controls (24%).
- The difference in nailbiting incidence between the groups was statistically significant (p < .01).
Conclusions:
- Nailbiting appears to be a more prevalent behavior in individuals with primary sociopathy.
- The findings suggest a potential association between nailbiting, anxiety, and the characteristics of primary sociopathy.
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