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Volume 25, Issue 1 (Spring 2023)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2023, 25(1): 15-29 |
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Farahmand Sabet M, Moradi A, Yazdanbakhsh K. Predicting antisocial personality traits based adverse childhood experiences regarding the mediating role of psychological inflexibility: Presenting a structural model. Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2023; 25 (1) :15-29
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1450-en.html
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1450-en.html
1- PhD Student in Department of Psychology Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Science, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Science, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract: (1139 Views)
Introduction
Methods
The research method was descriptive correlational, which the relationship between research variables is analyzed through path analysis. This model used adverse childhood experiences as independent variables, psychological inflexibility as mediated variables, and antisocial personality as dependent variables. The statistical population of this study included all people who went to health centers in Hamedan city in the six months of 2021. Convenience sampling was used at this stage of the study. Notably, in the research sample of the model trial, the criteria for inclusion of participants were individuals aged 18 to 40 years who had at least a middle school diploma, were patients of Hamedan health centers, and had informed consent. The exit criterion for participants in this phase of the study was the submission of an incomplete questionnaire. The Filitti Early Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, Relfs Psychological Inflexibility Questionnaire, and Vazsonyi Normative Deviance Scale Questionnaire were used to measure the research variables. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and Pearson correlation by SPSS-26. To evaluate the fit of the structural equation model (In this study, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the assumption of normality), several indicator s include the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis (1), Bentler–Bonett normed fit index (NFI) were used by AMOS-24 Software. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to investigate the indirect relationships of the routes. In this study, a significance level was considered less than 0.05.
Results
The number of females is 141 (39%), and male is 220 (61%). The mean and standard deviation of the age of the subjects were 30.81 and 5.9; 129 people from the city's outskirts, 71 people from the village, and 161 people from the city center participated in the research. First, the normality of data distribution was checked and confirmed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test (P<0.05). The results of the correlation matrix indicated a positive relationship between adverse childhood experiences and antisocial personality and psychological inflexibility (0.01). The results of the model fit study showed that the value of X2 is 245.99, and the result of dividing Chi-square with the degree of freedom (3.28) is less than five, which indicates the model's good fit. The GFI is 0.91, which indicates the optimal fit of the model. The modified fit index (AGFI) is 0.88, greater than 0.85, so the model has a good fit. The root means square of the estimation error (RMSEA) is 0.08, indicating the research model's confirmation. The NFI index is 0.96, the Tocler-Lewis index (1) is 0.96, the adaptive fit index (CFI) is 0.97, and the relative fit index (RFI) is 0.95; all of this indicates good fit and confirmation. Moreover, the indirect results of the paths showed that adverse childhood experiences with the mediating role of psychological inflexibility indirectly affect antisocial personality (P<0.01).
Conclusion
While pointing to the complexity of the nature of adverse childhood experiences, psychological inflexibility, and antisocial personality, these findings emphasize the recognition and conceptualization of various variables affecting antisocial personality. The results of this research show that adverse childhood experiences can reduce psychological flexibility through six interrelated processes (conceptualized self-attachment, cognitive fusion, lack of contact with the present moment, lack of clarity of values, and lack of committed action) and ultimately affect a person's mental health. The results of the present study can be used to explain the factors affecting antisocial personality and as a suitable model for designing comprehensive programs to prevent antisocial personality. Based on the results obtained, proposedly, psychotherapy programs that increase psychological flexibility (such as ACT) could reduce antisocial personality symptoms and some of the psychosocial burdens that antisocial personality imposes on the family and society. The significant limitation of the present study is that since this research was conducted in Hamadan medical centers and with available sampling, one should be cautious in generalizing the findings to other medical centers.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
All the subjects received information about the research in understandable and clear language. After obtaining their informed and free consent to participate in the research, they were assured that all information would remain confidential and only be used for research purposes. Furthermore, the patients were assured that if they do not want to participate in the research, it will not lead to the termination of medical services in that center. In order to respect privacy, the details of the subjects were not recorded. The health and safety of the subjects during and after the implementation of the research had priority over all other matters. The selection of potential subjects from among the patient population was fair so that the distribution of the burdens and benefits of participating in the research in that population and the whole society was not discriminatory.
Authors’ contributions
Majid Farahmand Sabet and Asie Moradi were involved in choosing the topic, designing the study, and defining the concepts. Majid Farahmand Sabet did a literature search, researched background and collected and analyzed the data. Besides, Majid Farahmand Sabet wrote and prepared the pre-writing and prepared the draft. All authors discussed the results and participated in editing the final version of the article.
Funding
This research is not under the financial support of any institution or organization.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to all the esteemed clients who have cooperated in this research. The article is taken from the PhD dissertation of Razi University (Research code: 9912533742).
Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest among the authors.
The antisocial personality has increased dramatically worldwide. In a meta-analysis study, Busari showed that the prevalence of antisocial personality ranges from 3 to 30 percent (3).
Some studies have identified contextual factors as facilitating conditions for developing an antisocial personality, such as adverse childhood experiences, conduct disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (3, 4). Felitti et al. first demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences increase physical and mental illness risk. These experiences directly impact the development of information that can affect the development of a wide range of factors that increase the risk of antisocial behavior and violence (7). The basic assumption about the long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences is that exposure to adverse childhood experiences randomly influences the likelihood of developing a wide range of negative behavioral, physical, and psychological outcomes.
Psychological inflexibility is another variable that directly affects antisocial personality. Psychological inflexibility can be defined as a pattern of behavior that is overly controlled by a person's thoughts, feelings, and emotions. These negative experiences are avoided, thus reducing the valuable actions of life. Psychological inflexibility is characterized by six interrelated processes: Avoidance of experiences, cognitive fusion, conceptualized self-centeredness, lack of contact with the present moment, lack of clarity of values, and noncommittal action (15). Individuals who have experienced ACEs may be less skilled at separating themselves from negative thoughts and may be more likely to constrict lives to avoid their negative thoughts and emotions. However, if these individuals are psychologically flexible, they could be more capable of allowing themselves to experience their thoughts and feelings and live following their values (12, 21).
Due to the importance of costs imposed on society by people with antisocial personality and considering the research background, the present study was conducted to develop a structural model for predicting antisocial personality based on adverse childhood experiences with the mediate role of psychological inflexibility.
Methods
The research method was descriptive correlational, which the relationship between research variables is analyzed through path analysis. This model used adverse childhood experiences as independent variables, psychological inflexibility as mediated variables, and antisocial personality as dependent variables. The statistical population of this study included all people who went to health centers in Hamedan city in the six months of 2021. Convenience sampling was used at this stage of the study. Notably, in the research sample of the model trial, the criteria for inclusion of participants were individuals aged 18 to 40 years who had at least a middle school diploma, were patients of Hamedan health centers, and had informed consent. The exit criterion for participants in this phase of the study was the submission of an incomplete questionnaire. The Filitti Early Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, Relfs Psychological Inflexibility Questionnaire, and Vazsonyi Normative Deviance Scale Questionnaire were used to measure the research variables. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and Pearson correlation by SPSS-26. To evaluate the fit of the structural equation model (In this study, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the assumption of normality), several indicator s include the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis (1), Bentler–Bonett normed fit index (NFI) were used by AMOS-24 Software. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to investigate the indirect relationships of the routes. In this study, a significance level was considered less than 0.05.
Results
The number of females is 141 (39%), and male is 220 (61%). The mean and standard deviation of the age of the subjects were 30.81 and 5.9; 129 people from the city's outskirts, 71 people from the village, and 161 people from the city center participated in the research. First, the normality of data distribution was checked and confirmed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test (P<0.05). The results of the correlation matrix indicated a positive relationship between adverse childhood experiences and antisocial personality and psychological inflexibility (0.01). The results of the model fit study showed that the value of X2 is 245.99, and the result of dividing Chi-square with the degree of freedom (3.28) is less than five, which indicates the model's good fit. The GFI is 0.91, which indicates the optimal fit of the model. The modified fit index (AGFI) is 0.88, greater than 0.85, so the model has a good fit. The root means square of the estimation error (RMSEA) is 0.08, indicating the research model's confirmation. The NFI index is 0.96, the Tocler-Lewis index (1) is 0.96, the adaptive fit index (CFI) is 0.97, and the relative fit index (RFI) is 0.95; all of this indicates good fit and confirmation. Moreover, the indirect results of the paths showed that adverse childhood experiences with the mediating role of psychological inflexibility indirectly affect antisocial personality (P<0.01).
Conclusion
While pointing to the complexity of the nature of adverse childhood experiences, psychological inflexibility, and antisocial personality, these findings emphasize the recognition and conceptualization of various variables affecting antisocial personality. The results of this research show that adverse childhood experiences can reduce psychological flexibility through six interrelated processes (conceptualized self-attachment, cognitive fusion, lack of contact with the present moment, lack of clarity of values, and lack of committed action) and ultimately affect a person's mental health. The results of the present study can be used to explain the factors affecting antisocial personality and as a suitable model for designing comprehensive programs to prevent antisocial personality. Based on the results obtained, proposedly, psychotherapy programs that increase psychological flexibility (such as ACT) could reduce antisocial personality symptoms and some of the psychosocial burdens that antisocial personality imposes on the family and society. The significant limitation of the present study is that since this research was conducted in Hamadan medical centers and with available sampling, one should be cautious in generalizing the findings to other medical centers.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
All the subjects received information about the research in understandable and clear language. After obtaining their informed and free consent to participate in the research, they were assured that all information would remain confidential and only be used for research purposes. Furthermore, the patients were assured that if they do not want to participate in the research, it will not lead to the termination of medical services in that center. In order to respect privacy, the details of the subjects were not recorded. The health and safety of the subjects during and after the implementation of the research had priority over all other matters. The selection of potential subjects from among the patient population was fair so that the distribution of the burdens and benefits of participating in the research in that population and the whole society was not discriminatory.
Authors’ contributions
Majid Farahmand Sabet and Asie Moradi were involved in choosing the topic, designing the study, and defining the concepts. Majid Farahmand Sabet did a literature search, researched background and collected and analyzed the data. Besides, Majid Farahmand Sabet wrote and prepared the pre-writing and prepared the draft. All authors discussed the results and participated in editing the final version of the article.
Funding
This research is not under the financial support of any institution or organization.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to all the esteemed clients who have cooperated in this research. The article is taken from the PhD dissertation of Razi University (Research code: 9912533742).
Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest among the authors.
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2022/08/13 | Accepted: 2023/01/16 | Published: 2023/07/10
Received: 2022/08/13 | Accepted: 2023/01/16 | Published: 2023/07/10
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