The Latent Structure of Psychopathy in Youth: A Taxometric Investigation

Abstract

Using taxometric procedures, the latent structure of psychopathy was investigated in two studies of children and adolescents. Prior studies have identified a taxon (i.e., a natural category) associated with antisocial behavior in adults as well as children and adolescents. However, features of this taxon suggest that it is not psychopathy but rather a broader class consistent with the construct of life course persistent antisocial behavior. Because the only prior study of youth used a non-clinical sample, the base rate of psychopathy may have been too low to reveal a psychopathy taxon, especially against the background of a broader and more prevalent antisocial behavior taxon. Therefore, this investigation sought to increase the likelihood of finding a psychopathy taxon (should one exist) by increasing its expected base rate through inclusion of clinical cases in the samples studied. Results produced evidence for both a broad antisocial behavior problem taxon consistent with past research and a much lower base rate taxon consistent with prevalence expectations for psychopathy. These findings support the existence of latent taxa for both psychopathy and a broader class of antisocial behavior problems. Further taxometric research appears to be warranted, which should use a broader array of indicators, with greater specificity to psychopathy.

DSM-IV Antisocial Personality Disorder and Conduct Disorder: Evidence for Taxonic Structures Among Individuals With and Without Substance Use Disorders in the General Population

“…Using a school-based sample of 1,111 boys (M age = 8 years), Skilling et al (2001) found taxonic results for DSM-IV CD. Vasey et al (2005) found similar results among a sample comprising 386 normal children, children referred for severe emotional/behavioral problems, and adolescents in a juvenile justice diversion program. One adult study (Skilling et al, 2002) conducted among 74 male inmates concluded that both DSM-IV ASPD and CD were taxonic.…”

“…First, very few taxometric studies were conducted in general population samples, and even fewer used assessment instruments explicitly designed to measure DSM criteria. Second, taxometric studies that found taxonic structures underlying CD and ASPD (Ayers 2000;Harris et al, 1994;Skilling et al, 2001Skilling et al, , 2002Vasey et al, 2005) relied on visual inspections of taxometric graphs and use of the Goodness of Fit Index (Waller and Meehl, 1998). These methods are less rigorous than the more recently developed comparison curve fi t index (CCFI; , which systematically compares the fi t of taxometric data to simulated taxonic and dimensional data.…”

Levantamento de problemas comportamentais/emocionais em um ambulatório para adolescentes

“…The frequency with which female adolescents were classifi ed into the clinical range of Delinquent Behavior and Aggressive Behavior was greater than that of male adolescents, a fi nding that differs from those reported in the literature (Nurmi, 1997;Vasey, Kotov, Frick, & Loney, 2005), though some studies have also found a relationship between the female gender and externalizing problems, often associated with depression (Silva, 2003;Honkalampi et al, 2009). Female adolescents are currently more assertive than male adolescents and many of their behaviors are alike, though girls judge themselves by a different standard.…”

Assessment and Diagnosis of Personality Disorder: Perennial Issues and an Emerging Reconceptualization

“…Schizotypy research often is biologically oriented due to its relation to schizophrenia, examining that disorder's full range of neurocognitive deficits; also, several studies have investigated the structure of self-reported dimensions of schizotypy. Focal assessment topics that deserve mention include gender bias, ethnicity/cultural issues, depressive PD (as a possible addition), taxometric analyses [somewhat supportive of schizotypal and antisocial PD categories; mixed, but more suggesting dimensional constructs for borderline personality disorder (BPD), narcissistic PD, and psychopathy; Edens et al 2006, Fossati et al 2005, Haslam 2003, Rothschild et al 2003, Vasey et al 2005, and the utility of brief screening instruments.…”