Military-style Residential Program Research Articles

Internalizing problems and their impact on the relation between callous-unemotional traits, narcissism, and aggression.

Narcissism and callous-unemotional (CU) traits have demonstrated relations with youth aggression across studies. However, different forms of narcissism and internalizing problems may exacerbate the relation between CU traits and aggression. To that end, the current study examined the degree to which interactions among internalizing problems, CU traits, and dimensions of narcissism related to aggression in a sample of 219 adolescents (83.1% males), ages 16-19, enrolled in a military-style residential program. Consistent with previous research, psychopathy-linked narcissism significantly moderated the relation between CU traits and aggression. Addtionally, self-reported aggression was highest among adolescents who endorsed high levels of CU traits, psychopathy-linked narcissism, and internalizing problems. The same pattern of results was not evident for other forms of narcissism. These results suggest that internalizing problems further increase the probability of aggression among adolescents with psychopathic tendencies (i.e., CU traits, psychopathy-linked narcissism). Further implications are discussed.

Understanding At-Risk Youths: Average PAI-A Scores and Their Associations with Impulsivity-Related Constructs

The purpose of this study was to extend research on the Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI-A; Morey, 2007) to include an examination of mean PAI-A results and associations between the PAI-A and indicators of impulsivity in a large sample of at-risk adolescents (Mage = 16.75; 79% male; 64% Caucasian) in a military-style residential program. Included in this study are archival records for a diverse sample of 497 youths who participated in the program during a 2-year period. Average T scores on PAI-A scales ranged from 44.67 to 65.41. Moderate to large positive associations (rs = .30–.65) were found between relevant PAI-A scales and both UPPS-P scales and self-reported substance use. There were smaller effects (r = .17) for associations between the PAI-A and program disciplinary infractions. Small to large group differences (ds = .19–.93) on PAI-A scales differentiated youths who had experience with arrests or NSSI from those who did not. This study provides information about the under-studied but vulnerable youths occupying the space between the normative population and youths with identified clinical or legal problems. It also clarifies how impulsivity and impulsivity-related behaviors may be represented on the PAI-A.

The Structure, Measurement Invariance, and External Validity of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Brief in a Sample of At-Risk Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and measurement invariance of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Brief version (BIS-Brief) in an archival sample of 315 adolescents (81% male; 63.5% Caucasian; Mage = 16.7 years) participating in a military-style residential program for at-risk youths. Additionally, correlations between BIS scores and external measures of impulsivity-related behaviors were examined. Results showed support for a previously described two-dimensional structure for the BIS-Brief, which was invariant across racial groups. Additionally, the BIS-Brief performed similarly to the total BIS-11 score in relation to external measures of impulsivity-related behaviors. However, the two dimensions exhibited some significant differences in their associations with other measures. This study supports the utility of the BIS-Brief as a brief measure of impulsivity and suggests that the dimensions of the BIS-Brief may be useful in distinguishing how different aspects of impulsivity relate to problem behaviors such as binge drinking and self-injury.

Implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training With at-Risk Male Youth in a Military-Style Residential Program

Recent calls to action rightly emphasize the need for early and preventative intervention for youth at risk for or currently exhibiting borderline personality disorder (BPD) features, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and/or suicidality. However, there is a lack of information in both the research literature and clinical practice guidelines about the acceptability and effectiveness of such interventions for male youth, particularly those who have dropped out of high school and, thus, are at even greater risk for a multitude of adverse psychological and functional outcomes. The current study aims to address this gap by examining the acceptability and pilot efficacy of a modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) skills training group intervention among a sample of 73 non-treatment-seeking male youth (aged 16–18) with borderline personality features, self-harm, or suicidal ideation who had dropped out of high school and were enrolled in a military-style residential program (relative to youth participating in the residential program alone). Both quantitative and qualitative feedback from youth point to the high acceptability of DBT-A skills training with this population. Within-subjects and between-groups comparisons support the preliminary efficacy of DBT-A skills training with this population. At posttreatment, participants reported statistically significant decreases in emotion regulation (ER) difficulties (d = 0.43) and increases in distress tolerance (d = -0.50). Further, compared to a similar group of male youth who did not receive DBT-A skills training, those who received skills training showed greater improvements in ER difficulties, albeit not distress tolerance. Data from this pilot trial provide preliminary support for the efficacy of brief, stand-alone DBT-A skills training in improving ER difficulties in a high-risk group of male youth.

Personality Correlates of Disciplinary Infractions in a Military-Style Residential Program for Adolescents

ABSTRACT This study examines personality correlates of disciplinary infractions in a sample of adolescents in a military-style residential program, an understudied but at-risk sample. Ninety-nine boys (Mage = 16.9 years) self-reported traits associated with externalizing psychopathology and problem behaviors. Additionally, each participant’s disciplinary record was obtained from the program. Disciplinary infractions were classified into five categories: physical aggression, verbal aggression toward peers, conflicts with staff, disruptive behavior, and rule-breaking. Principal component analysis indicated four distinct elements that underlie results on the self-report measures: (1) aggressive tendencies, (2) impulsivity and instability, (3) sensation seeking, and (4) narcissism. Subsequent regression analyses revealed differential associations between these components and counts of infractions across categories. These findings can inform research on the personality-based correlates of institutional misconduct, and they may also help staff in residential settings better manage or prevent some of the disciplinary problems they experience.

The Extent and Correlates of Stressors Experienced by At-risk Youths in a Military-style Residential Program

The aim of this study was to assess lifetime exposure to stressful life events among youths residing in a military-style program for at-risk adolescents. Both the types of stressors reported and the associations between youths’ exposure to stressors and problematic behaviors such as substance use and misconduct were examined. Exposure to stressful life events was assessed among 417 adolescents (87% male; 60% White; aged 16–19) using a self-report measure that allowed for the categorization of stressors into general types. Additional measures include self-reported substance use and program reports of youths’ disciplinary infractions. Descriptive data about the nature and number of stressful life events reported by the total sample and demographic subgroups is reported. Regression models including race and cumulative stressful life events revealed that White race and greater exposure to stressors were associated with more frequent alcohol, X2 (3) = 37.99, p < 0.001, and marijuana, X2 (3) = 21.24, p < 0.001 use, as well as indicators of substance use-related problems. A model using these same variables predicted count of disciplinary infractions, X2 (3) = 180.39, p < 0.001. When types of infractions were examined individually, several race by stress interactions indicate that non-White youths with high exposure to stressors are particularly likely to receive infractions. These findings provide descriptive information about stressors experienced by an understudied but at-risk population of youths. Additionally, they support the notion that history of exposure to stressful life events is related to externalizing behaviors during adolescence.

Perceived Family Conflict Moderates the Relations of Adolescent Narcissism and CU Traits with Aggression

Narcissism and CU traits are two of the personality features of psychopathy. These personality features have each shown independent relations with aggression in adolescents, suggesting a tendency for youth characterized by such traits to engage in aggressive or violent interpersonal behaviors. Furthermore, family conflict has demonstrated its own relation with youth aggression. The current study sought to examine the potential additive effect of these constructs on aggression in a sample of 153 adolescents (130 males, 23 females) ages 16–18 enrolled in a voluntary military-style residential program. Results indicated that perceived marital discord heightened the risk of aggression for youth characterized by narcissism or CU traits. Adolescent reports of parent–child conflict exhibited a similar moderational effect. Thus, family harmony, or at least youth perceptions thereof, may be a worthy target of future intervention for youth with psychopathy-linked personality features, with more research needed on younger samples.

The relation between adolescent narcissism and internalizing problems depends on the conceptualization of narcissism

Recent research has reported an association between narcissism in youth and a variety of externalizing behavior problems. The extent to which narcissism, conceptualized in two ways (i.e., as part of psychopathy; as a constellation of maladaptive and adaptive features), was related to internalizing problems in adolescents was examined in this study. Participants were 534 at-risk adolescents ages 16–19, attending a military-style residential program. Psychopathy-linked narcissism was positively associated with self-reported internalizing problems; however, narcissism assessed from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory for Children (NPIC; Barry, Frick, & Killian, 2003) was negatively associated with such symptoms. Perceptions of peer relationships appeared to play a role in this latter association. The implications for the understanding of youth narcissism are discussed.