Prevalence and correlates of psychopathic traits in the household population of Great Britain
Article
Coid, Jeremy W., Yang, Min, Ullrich, Simone, Roberts, A. and Hare, Robert 2009. Prevalence and correlates of psychopathic traits in the household population of Great Britain. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. 32 (2), pp. 65-73.
Authors | Coid, Jeremy W., Yang, Min, Ullrich, Simone, Roberts, A. and Hare, Robert |
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Abstract | There are no previous surveys of psychopathy and psychopathic traits in representative general population samples using standardized instruments. This study aimed to measure prevalence and correlates of psychopathic traits, based on a two-phase survey using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV) in 638 individuals, 16-74 years, in households in England, Wales and Scotland. The weighted prevalence of psychopathy was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2-1.6) at a cut score of 13, similar to the noncriminal/nonpsychiatric sample described in the manual of the PCL: SV. Psychopathy scores correlated with: younger age, male gender; suicide attempts, violent behaviour, imprisonment and homelessness; drug dependence; histrionic, borderline and adult antisocial personality disorders; panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders. This survey demonstrated that, as measured by the PCL: SV, psychopathy is rare, affecting less than 1% of the household population, although it is prevalent among prisoners, homeless persons, and psychiatric admissions. There is a half-normal distribution of psychopathic traits in the general population, with the majority having no traits, a significant proportion with non-zero values, and a severe subgroup of persons with multiple associated social and behavioral problems. This distribution has implications for research into the etiology of psychopathy and its implications for society. |
Keywords | Psychopathy; Epidemiology; Co-morbidity; Social functioning |
Journal | International Journal of Law and Psychiatry |
Journal citation | 32 (2), pp. 65-73 |
ISSN | 0160-2527 |
Year | 2009 |
Accepted author manuscript | License CC BY-ND |
Web address (URL) | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2009.01.002 |
http://hdl.handle.net/10552/660 | |
Publication dates | |
Mar 2009 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 11 Mar 2010 |
Additional information | Citation: |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/863y9
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