External Associations of the Interpersonal Problem Circumplex: Exploring Gender and Population Differences in Chinese Undergraduates and Offenders

Interpersonal processes are central to personality and psychopathology, yet little is known about how profiles of associations between interpersonal problems and external variables vary by gender and population. This registered report examined these association profiles across gender and population in Chinese undergraduate ( N = 1,582) and offender samples ( N = 1,869) using the Circumplex Structural Summary Method. Results largely replicated prior findings, supporting established nomological networks in diverse Chinese samples. Gender differences were minimal among students but more evident among offenders. Female offenders showed weaker links between maladaptive traits and interpersonal problems, more differentiated patterns for extraversion and detachment, and an intrusive (rather than vindictive) pattern of aggression. Population differences varied by gender: male offenders showed higher elevations than students, whereas female offenders showed lower levels on some maladaptive traits. Exploratory analyses suggested that these patterns were robust across offense type, age, and educational level. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender and population context in understanding interpersonal dysfunction, while also indicating that the nomological network of interpersonal problems is largely robust across demographic factors.