Childhood Bereavement in the Immediate Family and its Impact on the Development of Different Types of Psychopathic Tendencies in Later Life: A Research Proposal
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Madison Gesualdo
College:
College of Liberal Arts
Major:
Psychology/Forensic Psychology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Richard Conti
Abstract:
The construct of psychopathy has been widely researched over the last 100 years as an important variable in many criminological and psychological theories. Previous forensic research has suggested a relationship between the loss of a primary caregiver and later antisocial and violent behavior in adulthood. However, most of the previous research on this topic has almost exclusively been conducted with forensic populations. The present study will examine these factors in a subclinical population. Participants in this study will complete the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT) as well as the Psychopathic Personality Traits Scale (PPTS). It is hypothesized that higher scores on the BRAT will be related to higher scores on the PPTS. That is, participants who report higher bereavement risk factors (i.e., loss of a parent or other immediate family member) will also endorse higher rates of negative personality traits. Implications for further research on this topic will also be discussed.