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Using the PCL-R to Help Estimate the Validity of Two Self-Report Measures of Psychopathy With Offenders

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:55:25 PST

Two self-report measures of psychopathy, Levenson’s Primary and Secondary Psychopathy scales (LPSP) and the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI), were administered to a large sample of 1,603 offenders. The most widely researched measure of criminal psychopathy, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), served as a provisional referent for estimating the construct validity of these self-report measures with offenders. Compared with the LPSP, the PPI displayed higher zero-order correlations with the PCL-R, better convergent and discriminant validity, and more consistent incremental utility in predicting PCL-R scores. Furthermore, using a variant of Westen and Rosenthal’s approach to evaluating the construct validity of a new measure, compared with the LPSP, the PPI’s pattern of associations with measures of 35 external criterion variables was more similar to the pattern observed for the PCL-R. Results generally provide stronger support for the validity of the PPI than the LPSP in offender populations using the PCL-R as a provisional benchmark, particularly for assessing interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy.

Cross-Ethnic Measurement Equivalence of Measures of Depression, Social Anxiety, and Worry

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:55:25 PST

Although study of clinical phenomena in individuals from different ethnic backgrounds has improved over the years, African American and Asian American individuals continue to be underrepresented in research samples. Without adequate psychometric data about how questionnaires perform in individuals from different ethnic samples, findings from both within and across groups are arguably uninterpretable. Analyses based on item response theory (IRT) allow us to make fine-grained comparisons of the ways individuals from different ethnic groups respond to clinical measures. This study compared response patterns of African American and Asian American undergraduates to White undergraduates on measures of depression, social anxiety, and worry. On the Beck Depression Inventory–II, response patterns for African American participants were roughly equivalent to the response patterns of White participants. On measures of worry and social anxiety, there were substantial differences, suggesting that the use of these measures in African American and Asian American populations may lead to biased conclusions.

Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Adolescents Using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale

Neumann, A., van Lier, P. A.C., Gratz, K. L., Koot, H. M. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:55:25 PST

The authors explored the utility of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) in assessing adolescents’ emotion regulation. Adolescents (11-17 years; N = 870) completed the DERS and measures of externalizing and internalizing problems. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a similar factor structure in the adolescent sample of the authors as demonstrated previously among adults. Furthermore, results indicated no gender bias in ratings of DERS factors on three scales (as evidenced by strong factorial gender invariance) and limited gender bias on the other three scales (as evidenced by metric invariance). Female adolescents scored higher on four of six DERS factors than male adolescents. DERS factors were meaningfully related to adolescents’ externalizing and internalizing problems. Results suggest that scores on the DERS show promising internal consistency and validity in a community sample of adolescents.

Examining Unusual Digit Span Performance in a Population of Postsecondary Students Assessed for Academic Difficulties

Harrison, A. G., Rosenblum, Y., Currie, S. — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:55:24 PST

Methods of identifying poor test-related motivation using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Digit Span subtest are based on identification of performance patterns that are implausible if the test taker is investing full effort. No studies to date, however, have examined the specificity of such measures, particularly when evaluating persons with either known or suspected learning or attention disorders. This study investigated performance of academically challenged students on three measures embedded in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III, namely, low Digit Span, high Vocabulary-Digit span (Voc-DS), and low Reliable Digit Span scores. Evaluating subjects believed to be investing full effort in testing, it was found that both Digit Span and Reliable Digit Span had high specificity, although both showed relatively lower sensitivity. In contrast, VOC-DS was especially weak in both sensitivity and specificity, with an apparent false positive rate of 28%. Use of VOC-DS is therefore not appropriate for those with a history of learning or attention problems.

Emotional and Behavioral Reaction to Intrusive Thoughts

Berry, L.-M., May, J., Andrade, J., Kavanagh, D. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:09:30 PDT

A self-report measure of the emotional and behavioral reactions to intrusive thoughts was developed. The article presents data that confirm the stability, reliability, and validity of the new seven-item measure. Emotional and behavioral reactions to intrusions emerged as separate factors on the Emotional and Behavioral Reactions to Intrusions Questionnaire (EBRIQ), a finding confirmed by an independent stress study.Test–retest reliability over 30 to 70 days was good. Expected relationships with other constructs were significant. Stronger negative responses to intrusions were associated with lower mindfulness scores and higher ratings of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, and intensity and frequency of craving. The EBRIQ will help explore differences in reactions to intrusive thoughts in clinical and nonclinical populations, and across different emotional and behavioral states. It will also be useful in assessing the effects of therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness.

Assessing the Affective Features of Psychopathy in Adolescence: A Further Validation of the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits

Roose, A., Bijttebier, P., Claes, L., Decoene, S., Frick, P. J. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:09:30 PDT

To provide an extended assessment of the affective features of psychopathy, Frick developed the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU), which is a multi-informant questionnaire. Previous studies have provided initial support for the self-report version.The aim of the present study is to investigate the validity of self- as well as other report versions of the ICU and examine associations with measures of psychopathic traits,empathy,antisocial behavior and prosocial attitudes,reward and punishment sensitivity, and personality traits in a Dutch community sample of 455 adolescents (56% males).The results of the present study replicate and extend previous findings on the psychometric properties and the validity of the ICU in a sample of nonreferred youth.The three ICU subscales showed distinctive patterns of associations with key external criteria. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Structural, Item, and Test Generalizability of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised to Offenders With Intellectual Disabilities

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:09:29 PDT

The Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) is the most widely used measure of psychopathy in forensic clinical practice, but the generalizability of the measure to offenders with intellectual disabilities (ID) has not been clearly established.This study examined the structural equivalence and scalar equivalence of the PCL-R in a sample of 185 male offenders with ID in forensic mental health settings, as compared with a sample of 1,212 male prisoners without ID.Three models of the PCL-R’s factor structure were evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis.The 3-factor hierarchical model of psychopathy was found to be a good fit to the ID PCL-R data,whereas neither the 4-factor model nor the traditional 2-factor model fitted.There were no cross-group differences in the factor structure, providing evidence of structural equivalence. However, item response theory analyses indicated metric differences in the ratings of psychopathy symptoms between the ID group and the comparison prisoner group.This finding has potential implications for the interpretation of PCL-R scores obtained with people with ID in forensic psychiatric settings.

Outcome Expectancies of Partner Abuse: Assessing Perpetrators' Expectancies and Their Associations With Readiness to Change, Abuse, and Relevant Problems

Meis, L. A., Murphy, C. M., Winters, J. J. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:09:30 PDT

Concerns about low motivation to change among perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) have heightened interest employing behavior change models with this population. In the present investigation, a new scale was developed, the Outcome Expectancies for Partner Abuse (OEPA) Scale,assessing the negative and positive outcome expectancies of partner abuse.Items were generated from statements made by IPV offenders during videotaped group therapy sessions.Among a clinical sample of 130 IPV perpetrators, item psychometric properties, factor structure, and subscale validity were examined. Results indicated generally good psychometric properties and a 2-factor solution, with the exception of 4 items subsequently removed from the negative expectancies scale. Significant associations were demonstrated between instrument subscales, readiness to change, and self-reported abusive behavior. Additionally, positive expectancy scores correlated with anger problems and relationship adjustment whereas negative expectancy scores correlated with partner-reported IPV. Potential uses of the OEPA and future directions for psychometric research are discussed.

The Padua Inventory: Do Revisions Need Revisions?

Gonner, S., Ecker, W., Leonhart, R. — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:46:01 PDT

The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties, factorial structure, and validity of the Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision and of the Padua Inventory–Revised in a large sample of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (n = 228) and with anxiety disorders and/or depression (n = 213). The five-factor structures of both revisions were not replicated. A 24-item revision, referred to as the Padua Inventory– Palatine Revision (PI-PR), was developed on the basis of both theoretical and statistical considerations. The PI-PR assesses six subscales: Contamination and Washing, Checking, Numbers, Dressing and Grooming, Rumination, and Harming Obsessions and Impulses. The results demonstrate that the PI-PR is a brief, psychometrically sound, and valid measure for the assessment of a broad range of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, which has important advantages over both previous revisions.

Traveling With Cognitive Tests: Testing the Validity of a KABC-II Adaptation in India

Malda, M., van de Vijver, F. J.R., Srinivasan, K., Transler, C., Sukumar, P. — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:46:00 PDT

The authors evaluated the adequacy of an extensive adaptation of the American Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (KABC-II), for 6- to 10-year-old Kannada-speaking children of low socioeconomic status in Bangalore, South India. The adapted KABC-II was administered to 598 children. Subtests showed high reliabilities, the Cattell–Horn–Carroll model underlying the original KABC-II was largely replicated, and external relations with demographic characteristics and an achievement measure were consistent with expectations. The subtests showed relatively high loadings on the general cognitive factor, presumably because of the high task novelty and, hence, cognitive complexity of the tests for the children. The findings support the suitability and validity of the KABC-II adaptation. The authors emphasize that test adaptations can only be adequate if they meet both judgmental (qualitative) and statistical (quantitative) adaptation criteria.

Expanding the Construct Validity of the Relationship Profile Test: Associations With Physical Health and Anaclitic and Introjective Traits

Huprich, S. K., Hsiao, W.-C., Porcerelli, J. H., Bornstein, R. F., Markova, T. — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:00:52 PDT

The authors examined the construct validity of the Relationship Profile Test (RPT) with respect to measures of two related constructs—physical health and well-being (functional health status), and depression-linked personality type (anaclitic vs. introjective). In Study 1, the authors administered the RPT, Depressive experiences Questionnaire (DeQ), and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (MOS SF-20) to 116 undergraduate students. In Study 2, the RPT, DeQ, and MOS SF-20 were administered to 110, mostly african american female, primary care outpatients. Destructive Overdependence was positively correlated with anaclitic and introjective trait scores in both samples. Dysfunctional Detachment was positively correlated with introjective scores in both samples and with anaclitic scores in the primary care sample. Healthy Dependency was negatively correlated with introjective scores in both samples and with anaclitic scores in the primary care sample. These studies support the construct validity of the RPT in ethnically diverse nonclinical and clinical samples, and extend previous findings documenting links between RPT subscale scores and scores on measures of other theoretically related constructs.

Reliability and Validity of the Dutch Version of the Behavioural Status Index: A Nurse-Rated Forensic Assessment Tool

Chakhssi, F., de Ruiter, C., Bernstein, D. — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:00:51 PDT

The Behavioural Status Index (BeST-Index) has been introduced into Dutch forensic psychiatry to measure change in risk level of future violence. The BeST-Index is a structured observational measure that assesses aggressive behavior, degree of insight, social skills, self-care, and work and leisure skills during inpatient treatment. Thus far, limited information regarding the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the BeST-Index is available. The present study examines the reliability and validity of the Dutch BeST-Index in a sample of 291 mentally disordered offenders admitted to a forensic psychiatric hospital. Interrater reliability was investigated in a sample of 182 raters. Findings show that the Dutch BeST-Index can be used reliably and is significantly associated with risk of future violence and institutional aggression. Furthermore, this study revealed a different and clearer factor structure compared with the original one. Further research is needed to examine how these derived factors predict future recidivism.

Development of the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale

Beirens, K., Fontaine, J. R. J. — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:00:52 PDT

The present study aimed at developing a new scale that operationalizes a hierarchical model of somatic complaints. First, 63 items representing a wide range of symptoms and sensations were compiled from somatic complaints scales and emotion literature. These complaints were rated by Belgian students (n = 307) and Belgian adults (n = 603). exploratory factor analyses identified a gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory, pain, temperature regulation, and fatigue factor. Next, the number of complaints was reduced to 18. Second, the short scale, called the ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (gMSC), was administered to Belgian students (n = 735), Belgian adults (n = 664), and Turkish adults (n = 222). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that a higher-order model with five first-order and one second-order factor fitted best. Regression analyses demonstrated that the first-order factors were differentially related to anxiety, depression, anger, age, and gender. In sum, the gMSC scale offers the possibility to assess individual differences in somatic complaints from a hierarchical perspective.