Psychopathy and Attachment: A Complex Relationship

Background: The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) uses four facets to describe psychopathy: 1. Interpersonal (arrogant and deceptive interpersonal style); 2. Affective (deficient emotional connection; insensitivity, ruthlessness, lack of attachment to others); 3. Lifestyle (an impulsive and irresponsible lifestyle; impulsive decisions), and 4. Antisocial (persistent rejection of rules and restraints; severe behavioral problems during childhood, such as verbal abuse or physical violence). Those who commit sexual crimes are often described as psychopaths in the media and popular culture, and researchers have often found psychopathic traits present among some individuals who commit sexual cries, particularly among those who commit rape However, in some cases, the label of psychopath (and the pejorative associations therein) might be inappropriate for all men who have committed sexual offenses. Attachment theory can be used as an explanatory theory to understand sexual violence in those classified as psychopathic.

Methods: Four research questions (RQs) guided this exploratory study: 1) What is the relationship between a history of child maltreatment and attachment styles? 2) What are the relationships between specific child maltreatment experiences and the facets on the PCL-R? 3) What are the relationships between different attachment patterns and the facets of the PCL-R? In addition, for each of these questions, we compared patterns among those individuals who had child victims versus adult victims. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ) subscales, histories of abuse, and scores on the PCL-R facets.

The sample consisted of 110 male inmates at a maximum security prison psychiatric who were convicted of a sexual crime and met criteria for psychopathy using the PCL-R. Almost half (46.2%) were had adult victims (16 or older), 24.2% had victims 12 or younger, while 10% had adolescent victims, and11% had both.

Results: Results for question1 indicated that men who had childhood abuse were more likely to demonstrate a fearful attachment style, and those with no abuse were more likely to be securely attached. For question 2, no significant relationships between the types of child maltreatment and specific facets on the PCL-R were observed. For question 3, securely attached men, were less likely to engage in antisocial behavior. Anxiously attached men were less arrogant and deceptive in interpersonal relationships. Those who scored higher on the PCL-R were more likely to dismissively attached men. Men with adult victims scored higher on the PCL-R (more psychopathic) than those with child victims. Men with adult victims were also more likely to demonstrate antisocial characteristics.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that many of the men find relationships to be anxiety producing, are preoccupied with being in relationships, and may use emotional or dramatic means to stay connected to others who are important to them. As such, psychopathy is not a uniform construct and the stereotypes associated with this population are not necessarily supported by the research. It is possible that many of their extreme behaviors are in an attempt to stay in connection with others rather than actually hurt them. Implications for treatment and further research will be discussed.