Stressful Life Events, Autonomic Nervous System Activity, and Psychopathic Traits

• In Event: Stressful Event Exposure as a Predictor of Antisocial Behavior: Considering Gender and Physiological Functioning

Abstract

While a growing body of research has examined autonomic nervous system risk factors for psychopathic traits, relatively little research has focused on the impact of the social environment. Additionally, research into social risk factors for psychopathy has not considered a broad range of childhood and adult stressors. The current study addressed this limitation by examining relationships between lifetime stressor exposure, psychopathic personality, and baseline respiratory sinus arrythmia (RSA), an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity. This study used data from a community sample of 88 adults (mean age = 30.29 years, 43.2% male). Psychopathic personality was measured using the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Short Form, which includes Fearless Dominance (PPI-I) and Impulsive Antisociality (PPI-II) factors. Lifetime stress exposure was assessed using the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN), a computerized interview which assesses a broad range of acute and chronic difficulties, including early life and adult events. Preliminary analyses showed that severity of childhood and adult adversity were associated with PPI-II scores in males, but not females. Baseline RSA was negatively associated with PPI-II scores in females only, but the RSA x Sex interaction was non-significant. Findings suggest the importance of considering both social and biological risk factors for psychopathic traits.

Authors

• Jill Portnoy, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Presley McGarry, University of Massachusetts Lowell