Citation

King AR. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2014; 23(9): 963-981.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10926771.2014.953718

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Psychopathic Deviate scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) provides a valid psychometric index of sociopathic tendencies in both clinical and nonclinical samples. Childhood physical abuse has provided a robust predictor of sociopathic penchants. The link between childhood physical abuse and MMPI-2 Psychopathic Deviate scores was examined (N = 322) as a function of birth order. A significant childhood physical abuse by birth order interaction was found (p <.0001, η2 =.62) with a 6-fold increase in relative risk of a Psychopathic Deviate elevation (T > 70) found for firstborn participants. Childhood physical abuse predicted Psychopathic Deviate scores for firstborn (r =.50, p <.0001, d = 1.15) and middle-born (r =.24, p =.006, d =.49) offspring. Harris-Lingoes subscale scores suggested firstborns felt selectively alienated from self and others in response to childhood physical abuse experiences.