The subclinical psychopath in love: Mediating effects of attachment styles

Central to both psychopathy and insecure attachment is a failure to bond with others. In addition, avoidance is linked to both primary and secondary psychopathic variants. To date, there have been no published studies that examine psychopathic traits, attachment, and romantic relationships. We tested whether attachment avoidance mediated the psychopathy–interpersonal outcome relations. University students (N = 167) in a romantic relationship completed measures of psychopathic traits, attachment, and romantic relationship variables. Linear regressions, univariate analyses, and multivariate analyses indicated that secondary, but not primary, traits were associated with poor relationship quality, more active prowling and less willful disinterest in alternative partners, and more deactivation and hyperactivation. Avoidance significantly mediated these relations. Therefore, improving attachment impairments may benefit individuals high in secondary traits