Being unwanted and other very early predictors of adult psychopathy

Purpose This paper presents new evidence from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD) showing the extent to which obstetric (e.g., abnormal birth weight, confinement at birth, severe abnormality of pregnancy, etc.) and early childhood and family factors (illegitimate child, unwanted conception, family overcrowding, etc.) have predictive effects on psychopathic traits measured later in life at age 48. Design/methodology/approach Data collected in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development are analysed. This is a prospective longitudinal study of 411 London males from age 8 to age 61. Findings The results suggest that none of the obstetric problems were predictive of adult psychopathy. However, some other early childhood factors were significant. Unwanted conception (by the mother) was significantly associated with high psychopathy. The likelihood of being an unwanted child was higher when the mother was younger (19 years or less), and when the child was illegitimate. The poor health of the mother and living in an overcrowded family were also significant in predicting psychopathy in adulthood, as well as both psychopathic personality (F1) and psychopathic behaviour (F2). Originality/value These findings suggest the influence of very early emotional tensions and problematic social background in predicting psychopathic traits in adulthood (at age 48). They also emphasise the importance of investigating further the very early roots of psychopathic traits.