Do Adolescents' Perceptions of the Consequences of Their Behavior Mediate the Link Between Psychopathy-Linked Personality Traits and Problem Behavior?

<p>Youth with psychopathic characteristics tend to engage in severe and varied problem behaviors with an increased chance of recidivism (Andershed, Gustafson, Kerr, & Stattin, 2002; Gretton, Hare, & Catchpole, 2004; Salekin, 2008). Previous research indicates that youth with psychopathy-linked personality traits are more likely to have an increased focus on achieving reward despite the increasing presence of punishment (O'Brien & Frick, 1996). This study investigated individual perceptions of consequences (e.g., reward and punishment) as a mediator of the relation between psychopathy-linked personality traits and problem behaviors (i.e., delinquency, aggression) in a sample of 157 adolescents ages 16-19. Findings suggest that perceived rewards for problem behaviors played a mediational role in the relation between psychopathy-linked personality traits and such behaviors. However, perception of punishment was not related to participation in problem behaviors. Additionally, anxiety and delinquent peer affiliations had a moderating effect on the relation between psychopathy-linked traits and perception of rewards. The implications of the present findings for intervention are discussed. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Guelker, Matthew David

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/478

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1558