Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory Research Articles

Examining the Association between Psychopathic Traits and Fearlessness among Maximum-Security Incarcerated Male Adolescents.

Studies have reported positive associations between youth psychopathy scores and measures of 'fearlessness'. However, prior studies modified fearlessness items to be age appropriate, shifting from assessing hypothetical, extreme forms of physical risk-taking (e.g., flying an airplane) to normative risk-taking (e.g., riding bicycles downhill). We hypothesize that associations between youth psychopathy scores and alternative forms of sensation seeking (i.e., Disinhibition) have been conflated under a false fearlessness label. We tested this hypothesis among incarcerated male adolescents, investigating whether youth psychopathy scores were significantly associated with two different forms of sensation seeking: Disinhibition and Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS). Youth psychopathic traits were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD), Child Psychopathy Scale (CPS), Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU), and Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). Disinhibition and fearlessness (i.e., TAS) were assessed using an unmodified version of the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scales (SSS). Consistent with hypotheses, youth psychopathy scores were associated with higher Disinhibition and lower TAS scores. Our results contribute to a growing body of literature suggesting that psychopathic traits, including among adolescents, are not concomitant with physical risk-taking and descriptions of psychopathy including fearlessness distort a precise understanding of psychopathy's core features.

Psychopathic traits and social brain responses during moral evaluation in adolescence

Brain functioning underlying moral decision-making in adolescents with psychopathic traits is relatively less understood. This fMRI study examined the neural correlates of moral decision-making in relation to psychopathic traits, as measured by the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI), in a sample of 16 community-recruited youth (mean age=13.94) with reported behavior problems. Participants viewed images that depicted a moral violation, a conflict with no moral violation, and a neutral scenario. We analyzed activation, seed-to-voxel, and seed-to-seed functional connectivity using a social brain mask during moral reasoning and decision-making. Results indicated: a) greater activity in social brain regions while assessing acts of moral, compared to nonmoral, violations; b) positive correlations between activation of several social brain regions and YPI subscale scores; c) a positive association between YPI and functional connectivity between the social brain network and the bilateral middle cingulate cortices; d) significant effects of YPI on connectivity between social brain regions and the rest of the brain; and e) decreased connectivity between several ROIs during moral reasoning: the left temporoparietal junction (lTPJ) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), the precuneus (PREC) and left amygdala (lAMYG), and the PREC and rAMYG. Clinical and developmental implications of these findings are discussed.

Psychopathic Traits, Treatment Engagement, and Their Interrelation in Criminal Justice-Involved Boys: A Cross-Sectional Network Analysis.

To maximize the benefits of prevention and treatment efforts the psychopathy construct has been extended downward in age. Despite advances in the study of psychopathy in adolescence it remains unknown if adolescents with psychopathic traits engage in treatment. To fill this knowledge gap, the relationship between psychopathy and treatment engagement was scrutinized in 261 criminal justice-involved male adolescents (ages 16-17years). Psychopathic traits were measured by means of a well-established self-report questionnaire (Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory; YPI), whereas treatment engagement was measured using a self-report questionnaire consisting of readiness to change, bond with staff, collaboration on goals/tasks, and therapeutic engagement dimensions. Network analysis was used to detect the most robust relations between ten YPI subscales or the three YPI components and the four treatment engagement dimensions. Findings indicated that the YPI subscales (e.g., remorselessness) rather than the YPI components (e.g., callous-unemotional) might help to understand the complex relationship between psychopathic traits and treatment engagement. Disaggregating all the dimensions across its subscales can help us to identify which specific feature of psychopathy is related to treatment engagement and should be the first focus of intervention.

Stability of self-reported psychopathic traits in at-risk adolescents in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-reported stability of psychopathic traits in adolescents in residential care (both child welfare and juvenile justice placed juveniles) and potential influencing factors.MethodsWe applied the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory (YPI) in a sample of 162 adolescents (M = 15.0 years, SD = 1.3) over a mean time interval of 11 months (min. 6, max. 21 months, SD = 3.14).ResultsThere was no significant difference in YPI total score nor in the three underlying dimensions Grandiose-Manipulative (GM), Callous-Unemotional (CU), and Impulsive-Irresponsible (II) between t1 and t2. Furthermore, approximately 70% of the adolescents showed no clinically significant reliable change on the YPI total score (as measured with the reliable change index), 15% improved, 15% deteriorated. The strongest predictor for psychopathic traits at t2 were psychopathic traits at t1. Additional predictors for higher levels of general psychopathic traits was male sex, for CU-traits male sex and lower levels of internalizing mental health problems, and for II-traits higher levels of externalizing mental health problems. Generally, the three reliable change groups (increase, no change, decrease) did not seemed to differ on relevant factors.ConclusionsOur results add to the findings that psychopathic traits are relatively stable in this at-risk group over approximately a 1-year time interval. Research with a longer follow-up time and more time points is warranted to better interpret these results.

Validation of the French Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version in a general population sample of emerging adults in France

IntroductionThe Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) is one of the most commonly used scales for measuring psychopathic traits from childhood to adulthood. ObjectiveThe aim of the current research was to scrutinize the psychometric properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version (YPI-S) translated into French. MethodThe factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of YPI-S scores were examined in a sample of 757 emerging adults from the general population in France (aged 18–20 years; 54.43% women). ResultsResults of confirmatory factor analyses support the proposed 3-factor structure (observed in children and adolescents) among both men and women. The YPI-S total score and the 3 factor (Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Impulsive-Irresponsible) scores were internally consistent. Correlations with external criterion variables of interest, including the Dark Triad construct and its components (psychopathy, machiavellianism and narcissism), reactive and proactive aggression, and delinquency, support the convergent validity of the interpretation of YPI-S scores. Finally, findings also suggest that YPI-S works consistently for both men and women. ConclusionIn addition to demonstrating the psychometric qualities of the French version of the YPI-S, this research provides further evidences for the value of this brief and time-effective self-report instrument in the study of psychopathic traits across different developmental phases, and especially during the transition to adulthood.

Psychopathic traits predict patterns of gun-carrying among a sample of justice-involved youth

In this study, distinct trajectories of gun-carrying were identified among a sample of juvenile justice-involved males (n = 1134) using semi-parametric group-based trajectory modeling. It was then examined if psychopathic traits as measured by the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) were associated with group membership. Three trajectory groups were identified: “abstainers”, “desisting” and “late-starters”. Multinomial logistic regression models suggested that high scores on the Callous-Unemotional factor of the YPI increased the likelihood of being in the desisting group while high scores on the Grandiose-Manipulative factor of the YPI increased the likelihood of being in the late-starter group. These associations held controlling for several factors previously found to be associated with gun-carrying (i.e., age, gender, race/ethnicity, perceptions of gun accessibility, peer delinquency, prior delinquency, exposure to violence, neighborhood disorder, perceived rewards of crime, and gang involvement). These findings have important implications for understanding the facet-level associations of psychopathic traits and patterns of gun-carrying. The findings are particularly relevant considering the unique treatment profile for youth with elevated psychopathic traits.

Differential Item Functioning of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory Across Race/Ethnicity and Gender Among a Sample of Justice-Involved Youth: An Item Response Theory Analysis.

Research is yet to examine whether the items of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) function equally well across race/ethnicity and gender. The current study applies an item response theory analysis to detect differential item functioning (DIF) of the YPI subscale across White, Black, and Hispanic youth and males and females among a sample of justice-involved youth. Significant DIF was detected for several items between Black youth and White youth and Black youth and Hispanic youth. Few incidences of DIF emerged between White and Hispanic youth and between males and females. The findings suggest that subscales of the YPI provide more information for White and Hispanic youth compared with Black youth. They also suggest that while there was significant DIF in the difficulty of items, the direction of DIF did not substantially favor one group or another. Thus, the findings suggest that the YPI produces comparable estimates of psychopathic traits for females and males and for White and Hispanic youth. However, the results raise concerns about comparing YPI subscale scores between White and Black youth and Hispanic and Black youth. The findings have important implications for the use of the YPI subscales among diverse samples.

Variants of Psychopathy in Chinese Juvenile Offenders: A Latent Profile Analysis

Despite considerable understanding on the psychopathy subtypes in detained populations, the variants of psychopathy in non-Western populations are less well understood. To address this gap, the present study conducted a series of latent profile analyses with the factors of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory, childhood trauma, and trait anxiety in 560 Chinese incarcerated boys ( Mage = 16.92, SD = 0.81). Four subgroups emerged: relatively normal (67.3%); callous, psychopathy-like (2.8%); moderate psychopathy-like (24.8%); and high traumatic, moderate psychopathy-like (5.1%). Moreover, the modified Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars method was used to examine the significant mean differences on covariates across profiles, including proactive aggression, reactive aggression, affective empathy, and cognitive empathy. Results showed that the psychopathic profiles displayed differences on key variables. The callous, psychopathy-like group endorsed higher aggression and lower empathy. This study provides initial empirical support for the existence of psychopathy variants and enhances the understanding of the psychopathic construct in non-Western cultures.

Maturation as a Promoter of Change in Features of Psychopathy Between Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

The relationship between psychopathy and negative behavioral, social, and health outcomes has lead to calls to identify factors that promote change in features of psychopathy. Given that maturation has important implications for changes in personality more broadly, it also may be informative of changes in specific personality traits associated with psychopathy. Rocque’s integrated maturation theory was used in the current study to guide the measurement of psychosocial, adult social role, and identity maturation domains among boys and girls from the Pathways to Desistance Study ( n = 1,354). Based on cross-lagged dynamic panel models, within-individual change in temperance (psychosocial maturation), work orientation and consideration of others (adult social role maturation), and moral disengagement (identity maturation) predicted within-individual change in features of psychopathy measured using the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory. Maturation may influence features of psychopathy directly or indirectly through changes in a person’s social environment. Understanding why features of psychopathy change is an important step for developing person-oriented intervention strategies.

Substance-use disorders among child welfare and juvenile justice adolescents in residential care: The role of childhood adversities and impulsive behavior

BackgroundAdolescents in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems show high rates of substance-use disorders. Yet, little is known about the association between childhood adversities and impulsive behavior involving substance-use disorders in shared residential care in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of substance-use disorders and their association with childhood adversities and impulsive behavior among child welfare-and juvenile justice-involved adolescents in residential care. MethodA total of 386 adolescents placed into Swiss residential care by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems (37.0% girls; age range = 10–18 years; mean age = 15.41 years) were studied. Substance-use disorders and childhood adversities were categorically assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia – Present and Lifetime Version. Impulsive behavior was dimensionally measured with the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory. Statistical methods included descriptive analyses and logistic regression analyses. ResultsJuvenile justice-involved adolescents showed higher rates of any substance-use disorder compared to child welfare-involved counterparts (38% vs. 20%; χ2(1) = 22.21, p < 0.001). Higher numbers of childhood adversities were found among child welfare (U = 3039, p < 0.001) and juvenile justice (U = 309.5, p < 0.001) youths with substance-use disorders compared to those without substance-use disorders. Impulsive behavior was related to substance-use disorders among both the child welfare (B = 0.61, SE = 0.15, p < 0.001) and the juvenile justice groups (B = 0.40, SE = 0.17, p = 0.02). ConclusionConsidering the high rates of substance-use disorders in both the child welfare and the juvenile justice samples, this study highlights that treating impulsive behavior and incorporating trauma-informed care for childhood adversities may reduce substance-use disorders among youths in residential care. Implications for care system practice and avenues for future research are discussed.

Describing Changes in Features of Psychopathy Via an Individual-Level Measure of P(Δ)

Low self control has been the principal focus of population heterogeneity perspectives in terms of capturing an individual’s antisocial and criminal propensity (ACP). However, conceptual descriptions of the stability of psychopathy, combined with evidence that this construct predicts chronic and violent offending, implies that it may be a more accurate indicator of ACP. The current study evaluated this assertion by examining the extent to which features of psychopathy were defined by relative change. Using data on adolescent males from the Pathways to Desistance Study (n = 1170), the current study introduced P(∆i) as a new analytic strategy suitable for examining whether a person’s within-individual change on a given construct resulted in between-person differences. In applying P(∆i) to test scores on the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI), little support was found for features of psychopathy as a stable indicator of ACP between adolescence and adulthood. Contrary to expectations from a population heterogeneity perspective, higher test scores on the YPI were associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing relative decreases in features of psychopathy. Interpersonal features of psychopathy were most likely to change. Assertions about adolescents with features of psychopathy as posing a life-long risk for reoffending may require revisitation. Replication is needed using expert rating tools as opposed to tools that only rely on self-reported information.

The utility of self-reported psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among a sample of incarcerated female youths

Only a few studies have prospectively examined the utility of self-reported measures of psychopathic traits in predicting criminal behavior among forensic samples of female youth offenders. The main aim of this study is to compare the utility of two self-report measures of psychopathic-like traits in predicting criminal recidivism among a sample of incarcerated female youths. Participants (N = 76) from the three nation-wide Portuguese juvenile detention centers that admit female youths were followed over two years and prospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. Logistic regression models controlling for crime frequency and ethnicity revealed that neither the Antisocial Process Screening Device – Self-Report (APSD-SR) nor the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and their respective dimensions significantly predicted one- and two-year general recidivism and violent recidivism. Findings mostly suggest there are clear limitations in terms of the incremental utility of self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting criminal recidivism among incarcerated female juveniles.

Psychometric Properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory Triarchic Scales and Its Short Version in Chinese Male Juvenile Offenders

The triarchic conceptualization of psychopathy encompasses three distinct dispositional components: boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. The current study aimed to validate triarchic construct scales composed of items from the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) in a sample of Chinese male juvenile offenders (N = 613, mean age = 17.14 years, SD = 1.09 years). Although the CFA and ESEM models failed to support the three-factor structure for YPI-based triarchic scores, the convergent and criteria validity of the YPI-Tri and YPI-Tri-S were supported as they demonstrated the expected relation with other psychopathic traits or component measures and aggressive behavior measures. The internal consistency of the YPI-Tri and YPI-Tri-S scores ranged from marginal to good. The findings provide preliminary evidence for the YPI-based triarchic scores and support for the utility of the YPI-Tri and YPI-Tri-S in assessing psychopathy in Chinese male juvenile offenders.

Dimensions of Psychopathic Traits in a Community Sample

Abstract. There are valid measures of psychopathic traits in youth, such as the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). However, it is unclear how another self-report measure, which is based on a different conceptualization of psychopathy relates to the YPI in youth and to antisocial behavior. We therefore, compared the construct validity of two measures: the personality-based Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R) and the YPI – based on adult antisocial personality traits. First, both measures showed sufficient model fit and some overlap in their variance, particularly YPI impulsive-irresponsible and grandiose-manipulative factors with PPI-R self-centered impulsivity, as well as YPI callous-unemotional with PPI-R coldheartedness. We found that although overall delinquency was correlated with PPI-R and YPI subscales, only the self-centered impulsivity factor of the PPI-R and only the Impulsive-Irresponsibility domain of the YPI were statistically predictive of self-reported antisocial behavior. Thus, the PPI-R and the YPI both show moderate construct validity and criterion validity for use among young community adults.

Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory and Its Shorten Version in Chinese Detained Boys.

The Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) was designed to assess psychopathic traits in adolescents. However, there exists limited evidence for the factor structure and psychometric properties of the YPI when used with Chinese detained juveniles. The present study aimed to examine the factor structure and construct validity of the YPI and its shortened version (YPI-S) in a sample of 607 Chinese 14- to 22-year-old detained boys (M = 17.15, SD = 1.09). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a bifactor model which best fit the data at the subscale level for the YPI, and at the item level for the YPI-S. The internal consistency of the YPI and YPI-S scores ranged from marginal to good. Both the YPI and YPI-S total and factor scores correlated positively with the APSD, an alternative psychopathic measure, as well as with proactive and reactive aggression, and correlated negatively with affective and cognitive empathy. Overall, the YPI and YPI-S are shown to be practical and valid assessment tools to measure psychopathic traits in Chinese detained youths.

A Prospective Study on Self-Reported Psychopathy and Criminal Recidivism Among Incarcerated Male Juvenile Offenders.

The present study examines the utility of three self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among a sample of incarcerated male juvenile offenders. Participants (N = 214, M = 16.40 years, SD = 1.29 years) from seven Portuguese juvenile detention centers were followed and prospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed that the Antisocial Process Screening Device-Self-Report (APSD-SR) presented the best performance in terms of predicting general recidivism, with the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and the Childhood and Adolescent Taxon Scale-Self-Report (CATS-SR) presenting much poorer results. However, logistic regression models controlling for past frequency of crimes and age of first incarceration found that none of these self-report measures significantly predicted 1- or 3-year recidivism, whether general or violent. Findings suggest there are limitations in terms of the incremental utility of self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among juveniles.

Assessing Callous–Unemotional Traits in 6- to 18-Year-Olds: Reliability, Validity, Factor Structure, and Norms of the German Version of the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits

Background: This article reports reliability, validity, and norms for the German version of the multi-informant questionnaire Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU). Method: The ICU was filled in by nonreferred children aged 13 to 18 years old (n = 645), parents of children aged 6 to 18 years old (n = 1,005), and their teachers (n = 955). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a two-factor solution giving the best fit. Still none of the models showed an adequate model-fit applying the chi-square exact fit test. The internal consistency of the parent's, teacher's, and self-report version were α = .830, α = .877 and α = .769, respectively. Interrater reliability was moderate. Convergent validity with the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory, the externalizing scores of the Youth Self-Report/Child Behavior Checklist, and with the German oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder Rating Scale "FBB-SSV" were good. German norms were calculated. Conclusions: The ICU is a reliable and valid dimensional measure to describe callous-unemotional traits.

Factor structure and clinical utility of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory in an inpatient sample

Previous research on the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI; Andershed et al., 2002) has identified a three-factor structure: Interpersonal, Affective, and Behavioral. The present study sought to test this three-factor structure and broader psychometric properties of the YPI in a sample of 328 adolescents undergoing inpatient psychiatric care. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the hypothesized three-factor structure of the YPI previously documented in community samples. Exploratory analyses reported on modification indices, gender invariance, and fit of a bifactor model. Additionally, the clinical utility of the YPI was examined by examined the relation between the YPI and the antisocial personality scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI-A-ANT; Morey, 2007). Confirmatory Factor Analysis results did not replicate the previously documented three-factor structure in the inpatient sample; a bifactor model continued to display poor (albeit improved) fit. Still, there was a strong association between the YPI (total and factor scores) and PAI-A-ANT, as such the YPI accurately identified adolescents with clinically significant antisocial traits. A cut-off score is presented for the YPI total score.

A Developmental Perspective on the Stability and Change of Psychopathic Personality Traits Across the Adolescence–Adulthood Transition

The stability of psychopathic personality disturbance (PPD) has important theoretical implications for developmental criminology and population heterogeneity perspective assertions that psychopathy is a key measure of criminal propensity. Data from the Pathways to Desistance Study ( n = 1,354) were used to examine short-, moderate-, and long-term reliable change in symptoms of PPD measured via the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI). Youth scoring highest on the YPI at the baseline assessment were most likely to experience reliable decreases in test scores. Binomial regression analyses showed that a reliable decrease in YPI test score was associated with decreased odds of endorsing additional offenses. Findings contrasted the adolescent “fledgling” psychopathy perspective and indicated that individuals scoring high on the YPI are the group most likely to experience reliable decreases in test scores, especially over a longer follow-up period.

Psychopathic Personality Traits in Relation to Self-report Delinquency in Adolescence: Should We Mind About Interaction Effects?

The aim of the present study was to investigate if interaction effects among Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) Grandiose-Manipulative (GM), Callous-Unemotional (CU), and Impulsive-Irresponsible (II) may add significant information in predicting self-reports of juvenile delinquent behavior among adolescents. A sample of 558 Italian high school students were administered the YPI and the Self-Reports of Delinquency Scale (SRDS) in order to evaluate interaction effects among YPI GM, CU, and II dimensions. Results showed a significant effect for a three-way interaction among the three YPI dimensions in predicting the SRDS total score, β = .19, p < .01. In conclusion, the findings seem to underline that a three-factor model of psychopathy may help clinicians and researchers in predicting self-reported delinquency better than the individual factors.