Assessing the validity of self-report of psychopathy short-form (SRP-SF) in incarcerated offenders from Chile and Uruguay.

Psychopathy remains a relatively unexplored concept in Latin America. The abbreviated Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-SF) seems promising in this under-resourced context. However, the SRP-SF should be tested for measurement invariance to achieve meaningful comparison across countries in Latin America. Therefore the aims of this study were to examine the underlying factor structure of the SRP-SF in incarcerated adult male offenders from Uruguay (n = 331) and Chile (n = 208), to examine the measurement invariance of the SRP-SF across countries, and to assess the utility of SRP-SF to classify first time offenders from offenders with criminal history. Findings showed a good fit for the four-factor model in Uruguay, and both Chile and Uruguay showed invariance. Conversely, the Interpersonal and Affective factors were not associated with criminal history in the Uruguayan sample. Therefore, more studies are needed before using the SRP-SF as screening tool to classify first-time offenders and reoffenders in different countries in Latin America.

[Quality of the Forensic Case Formulation in Mental Health]. / La calidad de la formulación del caso forense en salud mental.

OBJECTIVES: The "Guide to understand and assess the quality of the case formulation in forensic mental health - TECF" is tested in order to contribute to the development of the forensic reports. METHOD: Twelve mental health professionals of different Latin American traditions assessed with the TECF the quality of ten international forensic reports, both psychological and psychiatric. The guide includes the manual that describes the dimensions, criteria and guidelines to assess the quality of the forensic case formulation. RESULTS: Internal consistency indicators were in a rank of 0.34- 0.81 for the dimensions and 0.85 for the total TECF. The absolute agreement intraclass correlation coefficient among evaluators with similar tradition reached values of 0.72; 0.52; 0.76 and 0.77 for the dimensions and 0.84 for the total. The agreement among evaluators with different traditions was less. CONCLUSIONS: The TECF is a promising instrument to guide the assessment of quality and to stimulate improvement of the forensic reports. Caution is recommended in light of the traditional rating scale method due to the effect that can be produced by the different practices.

[Psychopathy in female inmates in Chile]. / Psicopatía en mujeres privadas de libertad en Chile.

INTRODUCTION: although psychopathy is a clinical construct of great importance for both the clinical and forensic field, previous Latin American research has been focused mainly on males. OBJECTIVES: determine the prevalence of psychopathy and of antisocial personality disorder in imprisoned female population. To explore the distribution scores obtained with the PCL-R and to test its psychometric characteristics. METHOD: a randomized sample of 210 participants was obtained from the 570 women imprisoned in the female prison in Santiago, Chile, in June 2014. The participants were evaluated by two independent researchers with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy. The information was obtained from different sources and the interviews were all video-registered for its double check. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychopathy was 11,9% and antisocial personality disorder 43,8%. The results assert that the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised is reliable and valid to be used in women and provide the norms for the professionals working with inmate female population.

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.

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.

[Jealousy and violence on university student intimate partners]. / Celos y violencia en parejas de estudiantes universitarios.

The deleterious effect of dating violence motivates the empirical exploration of the influential factors that may be targets of prevention. The aims of this study are to investigate violence in couples of university students and explore their relationship with jealousy and other correlates. Method: with a cross-sectional design, we surveyed 84 medical students from the National University of La Plata, Argentina. The instruments used were the Conflict in Adolescents Dating Relationships Inventory, the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale and the DSM 5 Cross-cutting level 2: Substance use and ad hoc items. Results: The scores of violence were generally low, with predominance of emotional verbal violence indicators and a similar pattern in both sexes. The total jealous scores had a normal distribution and were significantly related to intimate partner violence. The manifestations of jealousy with greater prevalence were emotional, especially in women. The valuation of own and foreign fidelity and the consumption of marijuana were significant correlates.

[The assessment of competence to stand trial in juveniles]. / La evaluación de la capacidad juvenil para desempeñarse en proceso judicial.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the relevance of adolescents' psycholegal capacities to judicial decisions, no assessment tool exists in Latin America to evaluate these competence-related abilities. OBJECTIVE: To explore aspects of the reliability of the Test de competencia para el desempeño en proceso del fuero de responsabilidad penal juvenil MacArthur: Versión Argentina - MacCAT-CA:VA, wich is the Argentinian adaptation of the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA). METHOD: Mental health professionals trained in the use of MacCAT-CA:VA administered the instrument to 46 adolescents (23 court-ordered to a secure facility; 23 public high school students). Prior to data collection, the instrument was translated, back-translated, and adapted for use in Argentina; the publisher of the original version authorized the translation of the instrument and use of the adapated version for this study. Descriptive statistics and reliability indicators were generated. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coeficients were 0.69, 0.67, and 0.75 for the Understanding, Reasoning and Appreciation scales, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient for each item was within the good to excellent range (mean ICC=0.71; median ICC=0.75; ICC range=0.40-0.90); for the Understanding, Reasoning, and Appreciation scales, ICC values indicated excellent internal consistency (0.84, 0.81, 0.85, respectively). Compared with the student subsample, a greater proportion of the court-ordered adolescents in secure placement demonstrated significant clinical impairment.

Servicios universitarios en la interfaz del derecho y la salud mental: el caso de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador / University services in the interface of the law and mental health: the case of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador / Serviços universitários na interface do direito e a saúde mental: o caso da Universidade da Cuenca, Equador

Introducción: Los sistemas de salud mental forense incluyen servicios universitarios relevantes para la prevención de la violencia y la protección de los derechos humanos. Objetivos: Describir el servicio del Instituto de Criminología, Criminalística e Intervención Psicosocial Familiar de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Material y métodos: Estudio con diseño mixto, sección cuantitativa descriptiva de serie consecutiva de casos ingresados al instituto entre el 01/01/2015 y el 30/06/2015, y sección cualitativa con exploración de sus expedientes. Resultados: 52 casos ingresaron al instituto durante el período. Se estudiaron 72 personas, con promedio de edad de 22,6 años y distribución por sexo equitativa. El 88,5 % tuvieron requerimiento de intervención. Los temas principales detectados cualitativamente fueron"violencia intrafamiliar","protección infantil","protección juvenil","protección al discapacitado","asistencia a víctimas de abuso sexual","consulta comunitaria directa","fortalezas y debilidades del servicio pericial" y"consumo de alcohol". Conclusiones: Evaluados y asistidos presentan problemas complejos relacionados con la violencia y sus secuelas. El instituto brinda servicios a instituciones judiciales, municipales y directamente a la comunidad, y es una excelente fuente de experiencia académica.

Introduction: Forensic mental health systems include relevant university services for the prevention of violence and the protection of human services. Objectives: Describe the service offered by the"Instituto de Criminologia, Criminalística e Intervencion Psicosocial Familiar" of the Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Material and methods: A study with a mixed design, a descriptive quantitative section with a consecutive series of cases admitted to the Institute between 01/01/2015 and 30/06/2015, and a qualitative one including its dossier exploration. Results: 52 persons were admitted to the institute during that period. 72 individuals with an average age of 22.6 years and an equitable distribution by genders were analyzed in that period. 88.5 % had an intervention requirement. The main subjects detected on a qualitative basis were"domestic violence","child protection","youth protection","protection of the disabled", assistance to victims of sexual abuse","direct community consultation","strengths and weakness of expertise services", and"alcohol consumption". Conclusions: Both evaluated and assisted individuals exhibit complex problems relating to violence and its negative effects. The Institute offers services to judicial and municipal institutions, and directly to the community itself. It is an excellent source of academic experience.

Introdução: Os sistemas da saúde mental forense incluem serviços universitários relevantes para a prevenção da violência e a proteção dos direitos humanos. Objetivos: Descrever o serviço do Instituto de Criminologia, Criminalística e Intervenção Psicosocial Familiar da Universidade de Cuenca, Equador. Material e métodos: Estudo com projeto misturado, seção quantitativa descritiva da série consecutiva dos casos ingressados ao instituto entre o 01/01/2015 e o 30/06/2015, e à seção qualitativa com exploração dos seus processos. Resultados. 52 casos ingressaram no instituto durante o período. 72 pessoas foram examinadas, com médio de idade de 22,6 anos e distribuição pelo sexo equitativa. O 88,5% tiveram exigência de intervenção. Os assuntos principais detectados qualitativamente foram"violência intrafamiliar","proteção infantil","proteção jovem","proteção á pessoa com deficiência","assistência às vítimas do abuso sexual","consulta comunitária direta","forças e fraquezas do serviço pericial" e"o consumo álcool". Conclusões. As pessoas avaliadas e assistidas apresentam-problemas complexos relacionados à violência e a suas sequelas. O instituto oferece serviços às instituições judiciais, municipais e diretamente à comunidade, e é uma fonte excelente da experiência académica.

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.

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.

[Reliability of the Chilean version of the Hare PCL-R and convergent validity with other assessment tools for psychopathy]. / Confiabilidad de la versión chilena de la Hare PCL-R y validez convergente con otros instrumentos de evaluación de psicopatía.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of mental health in forensic field is relevant in order to plan interventions and diminish institutional risks. The procedure includes the evaluation of psychopathic traits, which should be assessed by reliable and valid instruments. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal congruence of the Chilean version of the PCL-R, and the convergent validity with the PCL: SV, the SRP-III-SF and the IM-P. To explore the utility of the PCL: SV as screening tool. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The population of sentenced inmates of the Jail of Los Andes, Chile, was evaluated in a cross sectional study (N=209 inmates of a universe of 235 eligible subjects). Data was obtained from different sources and the interviews were video-recorded. The PCL-R, PCL: SV, IM-P and SRP-III-SF were used. RESULTS: Cronbach Alpha for the PCL-R total score was 0.97. The correlation of the total PCL-R score with the PCL: SV was 0.87; 0.37 with the SRP-III-SF and 0.75 with the IM-P. Sensibility of the PCL: SV was 1 and specificity 0.90 thus concluding that it is an excellent screening test.

Confiabilidad de la versión chilena de la Hare PCL-R y validez convergente con otros instrumentos de evaluación de psicopatía. / [Reliability of the chilean version of the Hare PCL-R and convergent validity with other assessment tools for psychopathy].

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of mental health in forensic field is relevant in order to plan interventions and diminish institutional risks. The procedure includes the evaluation of psychopathic traits, which should be assessed by reliable and valid instruments. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal congruence of the Chilean version of the PCL-R, and the convergent validity with the PCL: SV, the SRP-III-SF and the IM-P. To explore the utility of the PCL: SV as screening tool. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The population of sentenced inmates of the Jail of Los Andes, Chile, was evaluated in a cross sectional study (N=209 inmates of a universe of 235 eligible subjects). Data was obtained from different sources and the interviews were video-recorded. The PCL-R, PCL: SV, IM-P and SRP-III-SF were used. RESULTS: Cronbach Alpha for the PCL-R total score was 0.97. The correlation of the total PCL-R score with the PCL: SV was 0.87; 0.37 with the SRP-III-SF and 0.75 with the IM-P. Sensibility of the PCL: SV was 1 and specificity 0.90 thus concluding that it is an excellent screening test.

Confiabilidad de la versión chilena de la Hare PCL-R y validez convergente con otros instrumentos de evaluación de psicopatía / [Reliability of the chilean version of the Hare PCL-R and convergent validity with other assessment tools for psychopathy].

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of mental health in forensic field is relevant in order to plan interventions and diminish institutional risks. The procedure includes the evaluation of psychopathic traits, which should be assessed by reliable and valid instruments. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal congruence of the Chilean version of the PCL-R, and the convergent validity with the PCL: SV, the SRP-III-SF and the IM-P. To explore the utility of the PCL: SV as screening tool. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The population of sentenced inmates of the Jail of Los Andes, Chile, was evaluated in a cross sectional study (N=209 inmates of a universe of 235 eligible subjects). Data was obtained from different sources and the interviews were video-recorded. The PCL-R, PCL: SV, IM-P and SRP-III-SF were used. RESULTS: Cronbach Alpha for the PCL-R total score was 0.97. The correlation of the total PCL-R score with the PCL: SV was 0.87; 0.37 with the SRP-III-SF and 0.75 with the IM-P. Sensibility of the PCL: SV was 1 and specificity 0.90 thus concluding that it is an excellent screening test.

Características psicopáticas en la adolescencia: sistematización teórica / Psychopathic Features in Adolescence: Theoric Systematization

Hoy existe un interés creciente en estudiar el constructo de psicopatía y su aplicabilidad en población adolescente. La Psychopathy Checklist - Youth Version (PCL-YV) de Forth, Kosson y Hare (2003) deriva de la PCL-R considerando las características propias de la juventud (Zúñiga, 2008). El presente artículo tiene como objetivo dar a conocer tres estudios que constituyen un aporte a la evaluación de características psicopáticas en la juventud. Uno de ellos caracteriza psicométricamentre la PCL-YV aplicada en población chilena (Zúñiga, Vinet & León, 2011). Otros dos estudios permiten identificar importantes factores de riesgo presentes en la juventud que diferencian a adultos psicopáticos y no psicopáticos (León, Asún & Folino, 2010; León & Folino, 2011). Dichas investigaciones permiten sumar conocimientos especializados en el área infantojuvenil.

Nowadays there is a growing interest in the construct of psychopathy and its application to research on youth. The Psychopathy Checklist - Youth Version (PCL-YV) (Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003) is a derivative from the PCL-R that includes consideration on the particular characteristics of youngsters (Zúñiga, 2008). This article is a review of three studies that contributed to this area. One is a psychometric characterization of the PCL: YV in Chilean population (Zúñiga, Vinet & León, 2011). The others, allow the identification of important risk factors present during youth that have different impact in psychopathic and non-psychopathic adults (León, Asún & Folino, 2010; León & Folino, 2011). The studies are a contribution to knowledge in this field.