Hachtel H, Jenkel N, Schmeck K, Graf M, Fegert J M, Schmid M, Boonmann C
Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospitals (UPK), Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.
Child and Adolescent Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals (UPK) Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2025 Jul 16;19(1):79. doi: 10.1186/s13034-025-00938-w.
The paucity of research examining the long-term self-reported stability of psychopathic traits in adolescents in residential care (both child welfare and juvenile justice system-placed juveniles) and potential influencing factors is a matter of concern. Since psychopathic traits tend to be associated with an earlier onset of delinquent behavior, higher levels of delinquent behavior, and higher rates of recidivism, it is important to study this phenomenon in more detail. The present study aims to examine the long-term stability of psychopathic traits, including its underlying dimensions, in young adults with a history of residential care.
A 10-year follow-up study was conducted, in which a subset of participants who had previously consented to be re-contacted (n = 511) were re-contacted (data collection between 2018 and 2020). A total of n = 203 subjects (average age at follow-up of 25.7, SD = 1.8) completed the questionnaires online, including the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) (mean time interval between baseline and follow-up; 121 months, SD = 11.7).
At the group level, a significant decrease in psychopathic traits was observed, encompassing the underlying dimensions (i.e., Grandiose-Manipulative [GM], Callous-Unemotional [CU], and Impulsive-Irresponsible [II]).The Reliable Change Index revealed that approximately one-third of adolescents demonstrated a substantial decrease in psychopathic trait symptoms, as well as in GM, CU, and II symptoms. The strongest predictor of psychopathic traits in young adulthood was found to be psychopathic traits at baseline (approximately 10 years earlier).
The results of this study suggest a lower long-term stability of self-reported psychopathic traits over a time period of 10 years than was previously assumed in institutionalised youths over a shorter period of time. Research is needed to control for the influence of different aspects of caregiving on outcomes regarding psychopathic traits in order to better interpret these results.
针对寄养青少年（包括儿童福利机构和少年司法系统安置的青少年）心理病态特质的长期自我报告稳定性及其潜在影响因素的研究匮乏，这令人担忧。由于心理病态特质往往与犯罪行为的更早发生、更高水平的犯罪行为以及更高的累犯率相关，因此更详细地研究这一现象很重要。本研究旨在考察有寄养史的青年成年人心理病态特质的长期稳定性，包括其潜在维度。
进行了一项为期10年的随访研究，对之前同意再次联系的一部分参与者（n = 511）进行了再次联系（2018年至2020年期间收集数据）。共有n = 203名受试者（随访时的平均年龄为25.7岁，标准差 = 1.8）在线完成了问卷，包括青少年心理病态特质问卷（YPI）（基线与随访之间的平均时间间隔为121个月，标准差 = 11.7）。
在群体层面，观察到心理病态特质有显著下降，包括潜在维度（即自大 - 操纵性[GM]、冷酷无情[CU]和冲动 - 不负责任[II]）。可靠变化指数显示，约三分之一的青少年在心理病态特质症状以及GM、CU和II症状方面有大幅下降。发现青年期心理病态特质的最强预测因素是基线时（约10年前）的心理病态特质。
本研究结果表明，在10年时间里，自我报告的心理病态特质的长期稳定性低于之前对机构化青少年在较短时间内的假设。需要开展研究以控制照料不同方面对心理病态特质结果的影响，以便更好地解释这些结果。
