Callous Unemotional Traits, Schadenfreude, and Sadism: Moderating Role of Revenge Tendencies

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been consistently linked to harmful interpersonal behaviors such as schadenfreude and sadism. However, limited empirical research has examined these associations within law enforcement populations, particularly in the Pakistani context. This study aimed to examine the influence of CU traits on schadenfreude (pleasure derived from others’ misfortunes) and sadism among Pakistani police constables. It further investigated whether revenge tendencies moderate these relationships. A sample of 160 police constables (56.3% male, n = 90; 43.8% female, n = 70) was recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed four validated self-report instruments: the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits, the Vengeance Scale, the Perceived Schadenfreude Scale, and the Short Sadistic Impulse Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS and the PROCESS macro (version 4.2) to test moderation effects. CU traits were significantly positively correlated with both schadenfreude and sadism. Moreover, revenge tendencies significantly moderated these associations, amplifying the expression of both behaviors among individuals high in CU traits. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how CU traits and revenge tendencies interact to influence antisocial behaviors within law enforcement personnel. The results underscore the need for targeted psychological interventions to mitigate harmful tendencies and promote ethical conduct in policing. Limitations, including reliance on self-report data and the specific occupational sample, are acknowledged, with suggestions for future research directions.