Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV

Ngo, Darlene A.; Neumann, Craig S.; Maurer, J. Michael; Harenski, Carla; Kiehl, Kent A.

doi:10.3390/bs14080672

Open AccessArticle

Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV

by

Darlene A. Ngo

¹

,

Craig S. Neumann

^1,*

,

J. Michael Maurer

²,

Carla Harenski

² and

Kent A. Kiehl

²

¹

Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311280, Denton, TX 76203, USA

²

Mind Research Network, 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080672

Submission received: 13 May 2024 / Revised: 12 July 2024 / Accepted: 29 July 2024 / Published: 2 August 2024

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Externalizing and Antisocial Behavior Across the Lifespan)

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Abstract

Both the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), respectively, are established instruments for assessment of psychopathy and development of psychopathic propensity. To reliably compare scores from both instruments, measurement invariance must be established. The current study involved a combined sample of 1091 male participants (adults = 813; adolescents = 278) from correctional facilities in New Mexico. An exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) framework was used to test for measurement invariance. The four-factor ESEM model demonstrated good fit for the combined and individual samples. Results from the multiple group ESEM provide evidence for generally strong invariance, with equivalent factor loadings and thresholds. Adolescents exhibited decreased latent interpersonal traits but increased latent features on other PCL factors (affective, lifestyle, and antisocial) compared to adults. Findings suggest that the four-factor model and the measurement of psychopathic traits remain consistent across age groups. Implications of the findings within research and clinical contexts are discussed.

Keywords: psychopathy; development; measurement invariance; PCL-R; PCL:YV; exploratory structural equation modeling

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ngo, D.A.; Neumann, C.S.; Maurer, J.M.; Harenski, C.; Kiehl, K.A. Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV. Behav. Sci. 2024, 14, 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080672

AMA Style

Ngo DA, Neumann CS, Maurer JM, Harenski C, Kiehl KA. Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV. Behavioral Sciences. 2024; 14(8):672. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080672

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ngo, Darlene A., Craig S. Neumann, J. Michael Maurer, Carla Harenski, and Kent A. Kiehl. 2024. "Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV" Behavioral Sciences 14, no. 8: 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080672

APA Style

Ngo, D. A., Neumann, C. S., Maurer, J. M., Harenski, C., & Kiehl, K. A. (2024). Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV. Behavioral Sciences, 14(8), 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080672

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Psychopathic Traits in Adult versus Adolescent Males: Measurement Invariance across the PCL-R and PCL:YV

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