Page 47 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Personality and adolescent mental health

understand the complexities of oxytocin’s role in emotional in persistent conflict with peers, family members, and
development and how it can be effectively targeted in law enforcement, further entrenching them in cycles of
therapeutic settings. antisocial behavior (Baker et al., 2006; Tuvblad & Beaver,
Although emerging research suggests that oxytocin may 2013).
play a role in modulating social and emotional functioning Given the severe behavioral outcomes associated
in adolescents with psychopathic traits, its administration with psychopathy, early identification and intervention
as a therapeutic intervention must be approached with are critical. Interventions that focus on improving
caution. Ethically, interventions involving oxytocin in emotional regulation, enhancing empathy, and addressing
adolescent populations raise concerns about interfering the underlying causes of antisocial behavior – such as
with normal neurodevelopment, as the adolescent brain is childhood trauma or oxytocin dysregulation – may reduce
particularly sensitive to neurochemical changes. Informed the likelihood of psychopathy progressing into adulthood
consent poses another challenge, which given that (Anderson & Kiehl, 2014; Kimonis, 2023; Moreira et al.,
adolescents are a vulnerable population and require both 2024; Shirtcliff et al., 2009; Sonne & Gash, 2018).
parental or guardian involvement and clear communication
about potential risks and benefits. In addition, there is a risk 6. Longitudinal studies on personality
of unforeseen long-term consequences, which underscores development
the need for stringent ethical oversight. Longitudinal research plays a critical role in understanding
From a feasibility standpoint, oxytocin’s short half- how personality traits evolve during adolescence and how
life, variability in individual responses, and challenges in these traits can influence mental health and behavioral
determining the optimal dosing regimen complicate its outcomes over time. Adolescence is a dynamic period
therapeutic use. Current clinical evidence is limited, and where personality traits both stabilize and change,
more rigorous, ethically sound clinical trials are needed affected by a combination of biological maturation, social
to assess both the efficacy and safety of oxytocin-based experiences, and environmental influences. By following
interventions in this age group. Until such evidence is individuals over extended periods, longitudinal studies
available, oxytocin administration in adolescents should provide invaluable insights into patterns of personality
be considered experimental, and any implementation in development and offer a deeper understanding of how
clinical practice must be preceded by careful evaluation of traits shape life outcomes (Arslan et al., 2023; Bleidorn
potential risks versus benefits. et al., 2020; Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014; Etkin et al., 2022;
Hopwood et al., 2011; Tooley et al., 2021).
5.3. Psychopathy and behavioral outcomes
Psychopathy, particularly as it develops in adolescence, 6.1. The development and evolution of personality
is strongly associated with a range of negative behavioral traits
outcomes. Adolescents with psychopathic traits, including Adolescence is a time of significant psychological growth
CU traits, often engage in chronic and escalating patterns and change, and longitudinal research has consistently
of antisocial behavior, including aggression, theft, and highlighted the developmental trajectories of key
rule-breaking (Dotterer et al., 2021; Kimonis, 2023; Masi personality traits. Traits such as conscientiousness and
et al., 2023; Pisano et al., 2017; Sesso & Milone, 2022). emotional stability generally become more stable as
These behaviors not only disrupt their social relationships individuals mature, reflecting an increase in personal
but also increase the likelihood of criminal involvement responsibility, goal-setting, and emotional regulation
and incarceration in adulthood (Giordano et al., 2019; (Burtaverde et al., 2021; De Vries et al., 2021; Doménech
Huebner & Gustafson, 2007; Murray et al., 2012). et al., 2024; Hill & Allemand, 2012; Robinson et al., 2015).

The development of psychopathy during adolescence This stabilization contributes to positive outcomes in
is typically marked by a combination of meanness (lack various domains of life, including academic achievement,
of empathy and interpersonal callousness), disinhibition social relationships, and overall mental well-being. As
(impulsivity and poor self-control), and boldness adolescents gain more life experience and develop stronger
(fearlessness and social dominance). This constellation coping mechanisms, these traits become more consistent,
of traits makes adolescents with psychopathic tendencies laying the groundwork for long-term success in adulthood
particularly challenging to manage in both clinical and (Alkhawaldeh et al., 2023; Darling-Hammond et al., 2020;
social settings (Anderson & Kiehl, 2014; Cardoso et al., Jenzer et al., 2019).
2023; Dolan, 2004; Lin & Xie, 2023; Wallace et al., 2022). In contrast, certain traits, such as impulsivity and
Their disregard for authority and social norms often results sensation-seeking, are typically more pronounced during

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 39 https://doi.org/10.36922/GHES025080013