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Relationship Between Psychopathic Traits Measured by the Youth Psychopathic Trait Inventory and Psychopathology in a UK Sample of Conduct Disordered Boys

NCJ Number
219887
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 601-611
Author(s)
Mairead C. Dolan; Charlotte E. Rennie
Date Published
August 2007
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A British sample of adolescent males was used to test the validity of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI), a newly developed self-report measure of psychopathy.
Abstract
As predicted, the YPI correlated positively with measures of impulsivity and carer ratings of delinquent and problem behavior on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). There was a negative correlation between YPI Affective score (primarily callousness) and the Impulsivity-Venturesomeness-Empathy Inventory (IVE) score, suggesting that this subscale measures core empathic responses. This finding supports previous research that has shown individuals with psychopathic traits to have marked deficits in empathic understanding and affective information processing. The testing also found positive correlations between CBCL attention problems and the affective component of psychopathy. The YPI was effective in identifying a "psychopathic-like" subgroup characterized by higher levels of deviant behaviors, including aggression, delinquency, and attention problems. Although developed for use with nonreferred youth, the YPI seems to work reasonably well with young offenders, and it is quick and easy to administer. The YPI provided an additional dimensional assessment of key personality traits relevant to antisocial behavior that is not available with the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version Behavior (PCL: YV). Participants were 115 male adolescents incarcerated in a secure care facility and 3 young offenders institutions in Northwest England. Participants ranged in age from 13 to 18 years old. They were administered the YPI, a 50-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure the core personality traits of the psychopathic personality. They were also administered the CBCL and the IVE. 3 tables and 44 references