Structural equation modeling of psychopathic traits in Chilean female offenders using the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form (SRP-SF) Scale: a comparison of gender-based item modifications versus standard items

Objective: To examine the utility of the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form (SRP-SF) to assess psychopathic traits in female offenders and to test gender-based item modifications. Method: A South American sample of female offenders (n=210) was assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R); 110 subjects also completed the standard SRP-SF, while 109 completed a version with items rewritten to be more relevant for females. The underlying latent structure of the PCL-R and both versions of the SRP-SF were examined. Results: Most of the modified items showed higher average item responses. The PCL-R showed a stronger association with the modified SRP-SF than with the standard SRP-SF. The four-factor model showed very good fit in accounting for the PCL-R data, consistent with previous research. For both SRP-SF versions, the results indicated good model fit. Structural equation models were tested separately, in which a superordinate SRP-SF factor was set to predict a broad factor reflecting chronic misconduct. Both versions showed good model fit, and the SRP-SF superordinate factor significantly predicted a chronic misconduct factor. Conclusions: Both versions of the SRP-SF adequately reflected psychopathic features in this female sample; the modified items added robustness to representation of these features.

The construct of psychopathy in a Chilean prison population

Objective:To test the four-factor model of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R) empirical construct of psychopathy in a Chilean prison population by using instruments that supply different types of data.Methods:Two hundred and nine male inmates of the Prison of Los Andes, Chile, were evaluated. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out with the PCL-R and the Self-Report of Psychopathy - III - Short Form (SRP-III-SF).Results:The distributions of total PCL-R and SRP-III-SF scores were normal (Kolmorogov-Smirnov [K-S] = 1.04, p = 0.230; K-S = 0.812, p = 0.525, respectively), with means of 20.9±6.8 for the former and 61.6±15.2 for the latter. Model fit was good for the PCL-R (Tucker Lewis index [TLI] = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.04) and for the SRP-SF (TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.04).Conclusions:The results obtained with the PCL-R and the SRP-SF showed adequate fit to the empirical four-factor model of psychopathy and support this model. As foreseeable, fit was better for the PCL-R, which combines several sources of information.

Aproximación diagnóstica de psicopatía mediante instrumento autoinformado / A diagnose approach to psychopathy using a self-report instrument / Aproximação diagnóstica da psicopatia por meio do instrumento autoinformado

Introducción: Dada la relevancia clínica y social que tiene la psicopatía, resulta útil contar con instrumentos autoinformados para la aproximación diagnóstica a la psicopatía. Objetivos: Evaluar la congruencia interna y la validez convergente del Self Report of Psychopathy-Short Form. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 208 personas condenadas, alojadas en el Centro de Cumplimiento Penal de la Provincia de Los Andes, Chile. Se utilizaron el SRP-III-SF, el PCL-R y la HCR-20. Resultados: La distribución de valores del SRP-III-SF tuvo una media de 61,6 y fue normal. El Coeficiente de Alfa de Cronbach para el total fue 0,8 y para los factores 1, 2, 3 y 4 fue 0,7, 0, 4, 0,7 y 0,5, respectivamente. La correlación del SRP-III-SF con el PCL-R fue 0,4 (p = 0,01) y con HCR 20, 0,5 (p < 0,001). El riesgo de diagnóstico de psicopatía con el PCL-R aumentó en forma lineal para cada cuartil de la distribución del SRP-SF. El área bajo la curva ROC fue 0,66 (p = 0,05; 95% IC 0,5; 0,8).

Introduction: Given the clinical and social relevance of psychopathy, it is desirable to have self-report instruments for a proper diagnostic approach. Objectives: Assess the internal congruence and convergent validity of the Self Report of Psychopathy Scale III-Short Form. Material and Methods: 208 convicts housed at the “Centro de Cumplimiento Penal” detention center in the Province of Los Andes, Chile, were evaluated using the SRP-III-SF, PCL-R, and HCR-20 schemes. Results: the SRP-III-SF distribution was normal, with a mean of 61.6. The Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient for the total was 0.8, and 0.7, 0.4, 0.7 and 0.5 for the 1, 2, 3, and 4 factors respectively, while the correlations of SRP-III-SF with PCL-R and HCR 20 were, respectively, 0.4 (p = 0.01) and 0.5 (p < 0,001). The scores of the PCL-R diagnosed psychopathy were linearly higher for each quartile of the SRP-SF distribution. The area under the ROC curve was 0.66 (p = 0.05; 95% IC 0.5; 0.8).

Introdução: Dada a relevância clínica e social que tem a psicopatia, é útil contar com instrumentos autoinformados para a aproximação diagnóstica à psicopatia. Objetivos: Avaliar a congruência interna e a validez convergente do Self Report of Psychopathy-Short Form. Material e métodos: Avaliaram-se 208 pessoas condenadas, alojadas no Centro de Cumprimento Penal da Província dos Andes, Chile. SRP-III-SF, PCL-R e HCR-20 foram usados. Resultados: A distribuição dos valores do SRP-III-SF teve uma média de 61.6 e foi normal. O Coeficiente do Alfa de Cronbach para o total foi 0.8 e para os fatores 1, 2, 3 e 4 foi 0.7, 0.4, 0.7 e 0.5, respectivamente. A correlação do SRP-III-SF com PCL-R foi 0.4 (p = 0.01) e com HCR 20, 0.5 (p < 0.001). O risco do diagnóstico de psicopatia com o PCL-R aumentou em forma linear para cada quartil da distribuição do SRP-SF. A área sob a curva ROC foi 0.66 (p = 0.05; 95% IC 0.5; 0.8).