Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2025
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Laura Drislane
Second Advisor
Stefan Schulenberg
Third Advisor
John Young
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between psychopathic traits and post-traumatic growth (PTG) following exposure to stressful life events. A sample of 291 undergraduate students completed self-report measures including the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test whether the TriPM dimensions—Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition—moderated the association between stressful life events and PTG. Results revealed that Meanness was negatively associated with PTG, while Boldness and Disinhibition were not significantly related. Boldness showed a positive relationship with the PTGI Strength subscale, suggesting a potential link to emotional resilience. Exposure to stressful events was positively but not significantly associated with PTG when accounting for psychopathy traits. None of the psychopathy traits moderated the relationship between trauma exposure and PTG. These findings highlight the complex and differential role of psychopathic traits in trauma outcomes, suggesting that individual personality traits may either inhibit or foster psychological growth following adversity.
Recommended Citation
Denham, Ariela, "Do psychopathic traits influence post-traumatic growth? Testing the moderating effects of psychopathic traits between stressful life events and post-traumatic growth" (2025). Honors Theses. 3385.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3385
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