Date of Award
Fall 12-2013
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Applied Developmental Psychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Dr. Monica A. Marsee
Second Advisor
Dr. Paul J. Frick
Third Advisor
Dr. Carl F. Weems
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Michelle M. Martel
Fifth Advisor
Dr. Connie A. Lamm
Abstract
This study tested the utility of three different models of personality, namely the social and personality model, the pathological personality traits model, and the psychological dysregulation model, in predicting overt aggression, relational aggression, and delinquency in a sample of detained boys (ages 12 to 18; M age = 15.31; SD = 1.16). Results indicated that the three personality approaches demonstrated different unique associations with aggression and delinquency. The psychological dysregulation approach, composed of behavioral dysregulation, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive dysregulation, emerged as the overall best predictor of overt aggression, relational aggression, and delinquency. After controlling for the Big Five personality traits, psychological dysregulation accounted for significant variance in overt aggression and delinquency, but not relational aggression. After controlling for callous-unemotional traits and narcissistic traits, psychological dysregulation also accounted for significant variance in overt aggression, relational aggression, and delinquency. Psychological dysregulation did not account for significant variance in aggression or delinquency after controlling for borderline traits. The pathological personality traits approach, comprised of callous-unemotional traits, narcissistic traits, and borderline traits performed second best. In particular, within this approach borderline traits accounted for the most unique variance, followed by narcissistic traits, then callous-unemotional traits. Borderline traits accounted for significant variance in overt aggression, relational aggression, and delinquency when controlling for the Big Five traits, but not after controlling for psychological dysregulation. Narcissistic traits only accounted for significant variance in overt aggression and relational aggression after controlling for the Big Five personality traits, but not after controlling for psychological dysregulation. CU traits only accounted for significant variance in overt aggression after controlling for the Big Five personality traits, but not after controlling for psychological dysregulation. The social and personality model, represented by the Big Five personality traits accounted for the least amount of variance in the prediction of aggression and delinquency, on its own, and when pitted against the other two personality approaches. The exception was that the Big Five personality traits accounted for significant variance in relational aggression beyond narcissistic traits, as well as psychological dysregulation. These findings have implications for assessment and intervention with aggressive and antisocial youth.
Recommended Citation
Lau, Katherine S. L., "Big Five Personality Traits, Pathological Personality Traits, and Psychological Dysregulation: Predicting Aggression and Antisocial Behaviors in Detained Adolescents" (2013). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1747.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1747
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Commons
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.