DARK TRAITS AND DARK FAMILIES: FAMILY DYSFUNCTIONS, PSYCHOPATHY AND SADISM AS FACILITATORS OF ADOLESCENT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Psychopathy and dysfunctional family characteristics have been shown to facilitate criminal behavior and criminal recidivism. The role of trait sadism has not been explored in this context. We measured family dysfunctions (single or dual-parent families, quality of relations in families, presence of risk-factors), psychopathy (Interpersonal, Affective and Lifestyle traits) and sadism in a small sample of convicted adolescents (N=100). We collected measures of criminal behavior as well: the onset of criminal behavior, number of corrective measures, offences and convictions. The data showed that participants who grew up in dysfunctional families had more pronounced psychopathy and criminal behavior. Interpersonal and Lifestyle psychopathy traits positively correlated to criminal behavior as well. Sadism had a negative correlation with the onset of criminal behavior. In a regression model predicting general criminal recidivism (the first principal component extracted from the measures of criminal behavior), only low quality family relations and high Lifestyle traits had an independent contribution to the prediction. We did not find interactions between the dark traits and family dysfunctions in the prediction of criminal recidivism. The data extends on previous knowledge regarding the role of the dark traits and family characteristics in adolescent criminal behavior.