Adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors as predictors of TriPM traits in early adulthood: a longitudinal study

Links between psychopathic personality traits and internalizing and externalizing behaviors are established in terms of their conceptual and behavioral correspondence. Few studies have explored these behavioral problems as prospective predictors of psychopathic personality traits. We aimed to address this gap by investigating how internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence predicted psychopathic personality traits in early adulthood, and if associations vary by sex. Using the Risk Factors for Antisocial Behavior (RFAB) study (N = 539), internalizing and externalizing behavior were assessed via the Youth Self-Report (at ages 14-15, 16–18 years) and psychopathic personality traits were assessed via the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (at ages 19–20 years). Hierarchical multiple regression were conducted to examine associations between internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence and psychopathic personality traits in early adulthood. Interactions were used to test sex differences. Internalizing behavior in adolescence predicted dimensions disinhibition and boldness (p’s < .017). Externalizing behavior predicted all three dimensions: disinhibition, boldness, and meanness (p’s < .017). No significant interactions were found between sex and internalizing or externalizing behaviors. Findings suggest that internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence may serve as early indicators of psychopathic personality traits in early adulthood.