Investigating the Validity Evidence of the Swedish TriPM in High Security Prisoners Using the PCL-R and NEO-FFI.

The triarchic model of psychopathy was developed to bridge opposing descriptions of psychopathy by separating the core construct in three domains; boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. The Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) operationalizes the model through a 58-item self-report questionnaire. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Swedish translation by investigating intercorrelations and associations to expert-rated psychopathy, general personality and psychopathy-related traits in male high-security prisoners (n = 191). Psychopathy rated with TriPM and the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) demonstrated expected convergence, as did empathy and impulsivity measures. The Disinhibition and Meanness scales were highly correlated, indicating that the scales might not be adequately differentiated. Nevertheless, the divergent association patterns to other important variables, particularly neuroticism and empathy, also points to meaningful differences. However, the lack of association between Disinhibition and Boldness may put into question if these domains are related at all, especially since there was a lack of similarity in the association patterns with other clinical variables. The influence of antisocial behavior in the TriPM operationalization might amplify the similarities of the Meanness and Disinhibition scales, while diluting the associations between Meanness and Boldness. In conclusion, the Swedish TriPM is effective in measuring the domains of triarchic model in forensic settings, even though a revision of the scales might improve the psychometric properties of the instrument.

Psychopathy-associated personality traits influence crime-scene behavior in male homicide offenders.

Purpose: We investigated whether psychopathy-associated personality traits and behavioral styles affect the manner in which homicides are committed or the motives underlying them. Materials and methods: Using three nationwide registries and an in-house homicide database based on court verdicts, we identified all cases of homicide in Sweden during the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 72 male offenders who had undergone assessment using the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R), the manner of homicide was categorized as instrumental or expressive, and the motive as belonging to one of five categories: (1) intimate-partner or family-related homicide; (2) homicide occurring during altercations, (3) robberies or burglaries, or (4) criminal conflicts; or (5) sexual homicide. Results and conclusions: Offenders who had committed homicide in an instrumental manner or with a sexual motive had higher scores on PCL-R factor 1 than offenders displaying an expressive manner or other motives, suggesting that partially adaptive personality traits influence the crime-scene behavior of the former type of offenders more than maladaptive behavioral styles.

Poor school bonding and delinquency over time: bidirectional effects and sex differences.

The association between poor school bonding and delinquency has only been partly addressed in earlier research. Using a longitudinal design, the objective of our study was to investigate possible bidirectional effects and sex differences between adolescents' experienced school bonding and self-rated delinquency over time. A total of 788 adolescents (353 boys and 435 girls) were investigated by questionnaire at age 14 and 16. Poor school attachment and commitment as well as poor teacher attachment were found to be stronger determinants of delinquency for males than for females. Delinquency predicted poor school commitment for both boys and girls, and poor school attachment for girls, thus indicating bidirectional effects over time and sex differences in some of the bidirectional effects. The study concludes that the delinquency propensity of adolescent boys may be affected by all school bonding dimensions, whereas for girls it is their relationship with their teachers that is of significance.