Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA): exploring factor structure

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to assess whether the factor structure of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA) could be confirmed in a large community sample (n = 1,850), comprising three subsamples of adult men (n = 189, 248 and 198) and women (n = 499, 469 and 247). It was predicted that the four-factor solution originally proposed in earlier studies (i.e. dissocial tendencies, emotional detachment, disregard for others, lack of sensitivity to emotion) would be replicated and produce a multi-dimensional structure consistent across sex. Design/methodology/approach This study explored the structure of the newly developed PAPA among a non-forensic sample. Findings Although exploratory analysis indicated a four-factor solution, the structure was different with “lack of sensitivity to emotion” being replaced by “responsiveness to perceived aggression.” Confirmatory analyses supported this structure among women, yet a three-factor structure was preferred for men that excluded emotional detachment. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the importance of attending to sex differences when assessing for psychopathy. Originality/value This is the first confirmatory factor analysis completed on the PAPA, with the findings conveying its value when assessing for psychopathic traits among a community sample.

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“…One reason for the somewhat frivolous use of the PCL-R in different settings is explained by Storey, Hart, Cooke and Michie (2016) who stated, "the situation is unlikely to change in the near future, given continued efforts to translate and validate [the PCL-R] and the absence of an emerging competitor" (Storey et al, 2016, p.144). Unsurprisingly, this has prompted numerous attempts to develop alternatives to the PCL-R, that would not only improve research in some areas of psychopathy, but also prevent the PCL-R from being used in settings that it was not designed for, including predicting recidivism among offending populations (Hemphill & Hare, 2004;Lewis et al, 2021).…”