Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Parental Abuse, Risky Behavior And Psychopathic Traits In Adolescents And Early Adults, M P. Chorney, J M. Reistad, Scott Risser, Ph.D.

2013 Undergraduate Research

This study examines the associations between parental abuse, risky behavior, and affective psychopathic traits. Ninety-one (49% males) rural adolescents and young adults (between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five) participated in an investigation of gene and environment interactions. The sample consisted of high school and undergraduate college students. These participants provided self-reports of parental abuse, risky behaviors, and psychopathic affective traits. Results suggested that psychopathic traits, especially a lack of remorse and parental abuse, independently account for some risky behavior.