Childhood trauma and psychopathy in emerging adults: the mediating role of family cohesion

Abstract

Objective: To identify the mediating role of family cohesion in the relationship between childhood trauma and psychopathy in Chinese emerging adults.

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 in China, and comprised individuals aged 18-25 years who had experienced childhood maltreatment, like abuse and neglect. Data was collected online through screening for experiences of childhood trauma, psychopathy and family cohesion. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

Results: Of 696 participants, 106(15.2%) were males and 590 (84.8%) were females. The overall mean age was 21.01±1.92 years. A significant positive correlation between childhood trauma and psychopathy (p<0.05), and significant negative correlations between childhood trauma and family cohesion (p<0.05), and between family cohesion and psychopathy (p<0.05) were found. Significant predictive effects between childhood trauma and family cohesion, family cohesion and psychopathy, childhood trauma and psychopathy were identified (p<0.05). Family cohesion partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and psychopathy. After controlling family cohesion as a mediator, the predictive effects between childhood trauma and psychopathy were weakened (R²=0.31 to R²=0.24).

Conclusion: Childhood traumatic experiences could predict psychopathy, and increasing family cohesion could mediate this relationship, potentially mitigating the impact of childhood trauma and reducing psychopathic symptoms, successfully navigating emerging adults through the transitional phase.

Key Words: Childhood trauma, Family cohesion, Psychopathy, Emerging adults.