We could hope that people with psychopathy develop positively, but conversely this personality disorder worsens with age.
- A New Zealand study looked at the behavior of psychopaths over 50 years old.
- The study interviewed victims of psychopaths to assess their attitudes.
- Researchers have found that this personality disorder does not improve with age.
“Mental health researchers and clinicians suggest that symptoms of antisocial personality disorder/psychopathy decrease as patients age”, said researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand. To test this hypothesis, they chose to conduct a study whose results were published in 2022 in the International Journal of Offender Treatment and Comparative Criminology.
A study focused on victims of psychopaths
To carry out their work, the scientists questioned more than 1,215 partners, family members and friends of people with psychopathy about their behavior. Study co-author Professor Martin Sellbom said in a statement that the research focused on people with psychopathy over the age of 50.
According to respondents, 99% of adults with this personality disorder were manipulative, 94% had antisocial behavior, 93% were “emotionally violent”89% were “psychologically violent” and 47% were violent.
The attitude of psychopaths does not change with age
According to those surveyed, the behavior of 93% of patients was the same or worse as they aged. Psychopaths continue to display antisocial behavior after age 50. “As a result, respondents endured significant harm, including material losses, financial losses, and various self-reported mental health issues,” the study indicates.
The results showed that 88% of those surveyed said they had become anxious or depressed, 76% said stress had made them ill, 70% reported suffering from post-traumatic stress and 31% had considered or attempted suicide. .
“The general idea is that psychopaths change their behavior over time. But this study shows that people with psychopathic traits stay the same after age 50, and some get even worse as they get older, in terms of is about manipulation, deception and abuse. Anyone who waits for a psychopath to grow old or calm down should stop wasting their life and run away. He or she will not change.”suggested study authors Martin Sellbom and Donna M. Andersen.
Scientists believe that the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy do not accurately describe either the symptoms or the behavior of older psychopaths. According to them, the disease remains stable, but its manifestations evolve with age.
