Understanding the psychopathy-stress association in typical developing adults: the role of emotional deficits

This study assessed the relationships between psychopathic personality traits and perceived stress amongst 264 young adults. A hypothesised mediation role for emotion and empathy deficits in the psychopathy-stress association was also investigated. Results indicated stronger associations between perceived stress with secondary psychopathy compared with primary psychopathy. Partial mediation effects of alexithymic traits on the relationship between stress and psychopathic personality traits are reported. Although the current study showed that both primary and secondary traits are significantly association with higher levels of self-reported stress, it is the latter which seems to be most important, lending more weight to the need to consider mental health outcomes in those with high levels of secondary psychopathy characteristics.