title: Facets of psychopathy in relation to trauma-exposure and posttraumatic stress symptomology in a sample of incarcerated male offenders.
abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of psychopathy facets on the relationship between traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Design/methodology/approach Participants were male prisoners incarcerated in the UK. Findings The analysis revealed differential associations between the two facets of psychopathy, with potentially traumatic events and symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, neither primary psychopathy nor trauma exposure were significantly related to PTSD, while secondary psychopathy was positively and significantly related with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the effect of trauma exposure on PTSD was found to depend on the level of secondary psychopathy. More specifically, trauma exposure was strongly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms for low levels of secondary psychopathy and negatively associated with PTSD symptomology for individuals with high levels of secondary psychopathy. Originality/value The findings clarify linkages among psychopathy facets, trauma, and PTSD, and extend the understanding of the presentation of PTSD in male prisoners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Woodfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University , Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhingra
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boduszek
authors.affiliation: University of Chester , Chester, UK.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Debowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental health; Moderation; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Prisoners; Psychopathy; Trauma