ADHD is associated with psychopathic traits, both in the general population and in perpetrators, due to the impulsivity, but not the affective component of psychopathy.

To analyze this relationship among a sample of inmates from a high-security male prison, using an instrument that further divides the callous-unemotional factor of psychopathy into boldness and cruelty, and see if they relate to ADHD independently from the impulsivity/disinhibition.

One hundred and one subjects aged 18–65, with at least 4 years of formal education, were interviewed for socio-demographic data and completed the ASRS-v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and the TriPM (Triarchic Psychopathy Measure). Subjects were divided into ADHD positive or negative according to their score in the ASRS-v1.1, and then compared regarding TriPM score (total, disinhibition, boldness and cruelty) using Student's t-test. Linear regression was used to assess independency between the subscales of TriPM.

Seventeen subjects scored positive for ADHD. They significantly differed from the non-ADHD group regarding all psychopathy scores (total, t = −5.03, P < 0.0001; disinhibition, t = −3.53, P = 0.0006; and cruelty, t = −4.96, P < 0.0001), except for boldness (t = 1.97, P = 0.005). The cruelty score is independent from boldness (R2 = 0.03) but not from the disinhibition score (R2 = 0.24). Disinhibition and boldness are also unrelated (R2 = 0.01).

In line with previous work, our study shows a strong association between ADHD and psychopathy, with both conditions sharing the disinhibition/impulsivity factor. Although ADHD subjects score higher for cruelty, this isn’t independent from disinhibition, and may be a result of them being more prone to admit to cruel behaviours, due to deficient response inhibition.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.