Childhood predictors of adult psychopathy scores among males followed from age 6 to 33

•Evidence from prospective studies of the antecedents of psychopathic traits is limited.•Age 33 PCL-R total and facet scores were predicted by parents' criminality and mother's age.•Age 33 PCL-R total and facet scores were additionally predicted by childhood behaviours.•Age 33 facet 1 scores were predicted by low levels of anxiety at age 6.

PurposePsychopathic traits are associated with multiple negative outcomes. The present prospective, longitudinal study identified associations of childhood factors with adult psychopathy scores.Methods311 men, aged, on average, 33 years, were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Predictors included neighbourhood deprivation, parents' characteristics, teacher ratings of behaviour at ages 6, 10 and 12, and academic performance at age 12. Hierarchical linear regression models were computed to identify predictors at different ages of PCL-R total and facet scores.ResultsAge 33 PCL-R total and facet scores were significantly, and independently, associated with father's and mother's criminality and mother's age at participant's birth when teacher ratings of childhood behaviours and mathematics marks were included in the models. Anxiety was negatively associated with facet 1 scores at age 6. At age 12, 22% of the variance in facet 2 scores was predicted by father's violent convictions, mother's age and criminal charges, and reactive aggression. Facet 3 scores were associated with mother's age (marginally), inattention, and reactive aggression. Facet 4 scores were associated with father's violent criminality, mother's age, conduct problems, inattention, and reactive aggression.ConclusionEtiological research and prevention programs should focus on antecedents of psychopathic traits present in early childhood.