Identifying Psychopathy Subtypes Using a Broader Model of Personality: An Investigation of the Five Factor Model Using Model-Based Cluster Analysis.

The field of psychopathy research largely argues that the disorder is a heterogeneous concept with two predominant subtypes: primary psychopathy and secondary psychopathy. Early research examined psychopathy subtypes in terms of traits specific to psychopathy. However, recent research suggests that psychopathy may be conceptualized more dimensionally as an extreme variation in normative personality traits. This concept propels the examination of psychopathy using a broader model of personality, the Five Factor Model. Using model-based cluster analysis, this study uses the Five Factor Model to identify subtypes. Utilizing an American college sample, a cluster analysis was performed on the highest third of Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI)-Total scorers using the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) domains. This analysis yielded a two-cluster solution, with one cluster representing Primary psychopathy and the other representing Secondary psychopathy. The two clusters displayed differences in Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Extraversion, which may be important for understanding psychopathy subtyping using general personality traits. Associated traits such as aggression, anxiety, and borderline traits largely match other subtyping research. Overall, the results support the existence of psychopathy variants in a nonoffending sample, the dimensionality of psychopathy, and the ability of normative personality traits to differentiate psychopathy subtypes. Unveiling the complex nature of psychopathy through illumination of its dimensions has strong implications for future research as it can help specify an otherwise elusive disorder. Such desired specification can reveal psychopathy's etiology and potential treatment options. The results of this research in particular suggest a link between profiles of normal personality traits and aggressive behavior indicating the potential for risk assessment. Moreover, this research provides evidence for psychopathy's dimensionality versus categorical casting, contributing to the debate about mental disorder classifications in general.

An Examination of the Reliability and Validity of the Comprehensive Assessment of Traits Relevant to Personality Disorder-Static Form (CAT-PD-SF).

The current study examined the reliability and validity of the Comprehensive Assessment of Traits Relevant to Personality Disorder-Static Form (CAT-PD-SF), a dimensional measure of personality psychopathology. Specifically, we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the best higher order structure for the CAT-PD-SF traits. Results suggested a five-factor structure, albeit with marginal model fit. Second, we used correlation analyses to compare the CAT-PD-SF with two additional dimensional measures of personality, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form and the Five-Factor Model Rating Form. The results demonstrated the CAT-PD-SF scale scores were associated with domain and facet scores from these two models in a conceptually expected manner. Finally, we explored the association between the CAT-PD-SF scores and functional impairment and found moderate associations between CAT-PD-SF trait and functional impairment scores (as measured by the Measure of Disordered Personality Functioning Scale). Overall, findings add support to the structure of the CAT-PD model, and the use of the CAT-PD-SF in measuring dimensional personality psychopathology and impairment.

Incarceration and pandemic-related restrictions during COVID-19: An empathic understanding of two worlds.

This paper explores parallels between experiences of confinement due to pandemic-related restrictions and confinement as a result of legal incarceration. We compare experiences of social isolation, lack of choice, and reduced access to resources while also acknowledging the existence of significant differences between the two situations. We describe the ways in which experiences of confinement as part of COVID-19 regulations can provide the general public with insight into difficulties associated with incarceration and the negative effect it can have on psychological health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).