Psychological and sociodemographic predictors of psychopathy personality among university students

Purpose This study aims to examine whether anger, anxiety and psychological well-being predict psychopathic personality among a non-clinical sample of university students in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive-correlational design was used. Convenience sampling recruited 643 students from Jordanian universities. Data were collected on primary and secondary psychopathy, anger, generalized anxiety and psychological well-being and analyzed using SPSS. Findings Overall, 0.5% of the students (n = 3) were at high risk for primary psychopathy, and 1.6% (n = 10) were at very high risk for secondary psychopathy. The regression model including anger, anxiety and well-being explained 19.0% (R² = 0.19) of the variance in primary psychopathy and was significant (F7, 642 = 20.82, p < 0.001). Academic year (B = –0.503, p < 0.001), generalized anxiety (B = 0.117, p = 0.003) and anger (B = 0.317, p < 0.001) significantly predicted primary psychopathy. The same model explained 8.1% (R² = 0.081) of the variance in secondary psychopathy and was significant (F7, 642 = 7.98, p < 0.001). Academic year (B = –0.33, p = 0.0001), sex (B = 0.75, p = 0.013) and anger (B = 0.13, p < 0.001) significantly predicted secondary psychopathy. Practical implications Mental health counselors should attend to elevated anger, higher anxiety and diminished well-being as potential indicators of psychopathic traits in students and incorporate screening and targeted interventions within university counseling services. Originality/value This study addresses psychopathic personality as a largely hidden disturbance in university populations and demonstrates that it can be indicated through readily assessed psychological factors such as anger and anxiety.