The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood
Background: Childhood trauma may increase the risk of antisocial behavior in young adulthood. Our study examined the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the specific antisocial behavior of malevolent creativity (MC), the application of original ideas to purposely harm other...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/12/961 |
| _version_ | 1797382054191562752 |
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| author | Natalie A. Ceballos Toni Terling Watt |
| author_facet | Natalie A. Ceballos Toni Terling Watt |
| author_sort | Natalie A. Ceballos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Childhood trauma may increase the risk of antisocial behavior in young adulthood. Our study examined the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the specific antisocial behavior of malevolent creativity (MC), the application of original ideas to purposely harm others, often to gain an unfair advantage through manipulation, threat, or harm. Methods: We surveyed college students (<i>N</i> = 524; 78% women) on demographics, ACEs, empathy, social support, coping, general creativity, and malevolent creativity. The data were analyzed via sequential linear regression models. Results: Reporting ≥ 4 ACEs was associated with increased MC, which remained significant when general creativity and demographics were controlled. The association between higher ACEs and MC was no longer significant when psychosocial control variables (social support, empathy, and coping) were included in the statistical model. Social support and empathy were negatively associated with MC, while coping and MC were positively associated. Conclusions: ACEs may increase the likelihood of malevolent creativity in young adulthood, but empathy and social support may disrupt this trajectory. Care should be taken that coping skills, while typically viewed as a positive addition to one’s behavioral repertoire, do not push individuals toward over-reliance on themselves, which may reduce prosocial behaviors and increase MC. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:59:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-abf6f501f14d45168a14b04574be2404 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:59:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-abf6f501f14d45168a14b04574be24042023-12-22T13:53:38ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2023-11-01131296110.3390/bs13120961The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young AdulthoodNatalie A. Ceballos0Toni Terling Watt1Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USADepartment of Sociology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USABackground: Childhood trauma may increase the risk of antisocial behavior in young adulthood. Our study examined the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the specific antisocial behavior of malevolent creativity (MC), the application of original ideas to purposely harm others, often to gain an unfair advantage through manipulation, threat, or harm. Methods: We surveyed college students (<i>N</i> = 524; 78% women) on demographics, ACEs, empathy, social support, coping, general creativity, and malevolent creativity. The data were analyzed via sequential linear regression models. Results: Reporting ≥ 4 ACEs was associated with increased MC, which remained significant when general creativity and demographics were controlled. The association between higher ACEs and MC was no longer significant when psychosocial control variables (social support, empathy, and coping) were included in the statistical model. Social support and empathy were negatively associated with MC, while coping and MC were positively associated. Conclusions: ACEs may increase the likelihood of malevolent creativity in young adulthood, but empathy and social support may disrupt this trajectory. Care should be taken that coping skills, while typically viewed as a positive addition to one’s behavioral repertoire, do not push individuals toward over-reliance on themselves, which may reduce prosocial behaviors and increase MC.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/12/961adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)copingempathymalevolent creativitysocial support |
| spellingShingle | Natalie A. Ceballos Toni Terling Watt The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood Behavioral Sciences adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) coping empathy malevolent creativity social support |
| title | The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood |
| title_full | The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood |
| title_short | The Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Malevolent Creativity in Young Adulthood |
| title_sort | influence of adverse childhood experiences on malevolent creativity in young adulthood |
| topic | adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) coping empathy malevolent creativity social support |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/12/961 |
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