The Personality Assessment Inventory-Antisocial Features (Psychopathy) Scale: Model Fit and Convergent and Discriminant Validity

Abstract

The present study examined the factor structure of the Personality Assessment Inventory Antisocial Features scale (PAI-ANT) in a non-forensic sample of 1257 undergraduate students. One to four-factor models were tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), with a four-factor solution exhibiting the best fitting model (Bentler 1995). Next examined was the convergent and discriminant validity of the PAI-ANT. Results indicated that the PAI-ANT four-factor model was significantly related to measures of general personality, pride, impulsivity, and attachment. Comparisons between the original three-factor model (as proposed by Morey 2007) and our derived four-factor model showed that both models generally had the expected pattern of relations for their respective factors although mixed findings were found for the sensation seeking and risk-taking scales. Findings for these scales indicated that individuals could crave excitement and also have some positive characteristics. The current findings suggest that the four-factor model of the PAI is the best way to interpret the PAI psychopathy scale, but that some caution is needed in interpreting the sensation seeking and risk-taking scales.