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

Abstract

Background: The 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. Method: We 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). Results: There 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, 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 gender, for CU-traits male gender 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. Conclusions: Our results add to the findings that psychopathic traits are relatively stable in this high-risk group over approximately a one-year time interval. Research with a longer follow-up time and more time points is warranted to better interpret these results.