The Validity of a Youth Measure of the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy

Abstract

The Triarchic Model suggests that psychopathy is comprised of three phenotypic constructs, including disinhibition (i.e., elevated impulsivity combined with negative affect), meanness (i.e., interpersonal antagonism and callousness), and boldness (i.e., social charm and resistance to stress). Recently, the field has just begun to examine whether Triarchic traits exist and can be measured in youth populations. Specifically, researchers have recently devised scales measuring these three constructs using items from the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and found some support for their validity in a college sample.

This study extended previous research by examining the psychometric properties of the YPI-Triarchic scales in a large, multi-site adolescent offender sample using a myriad of criterion measures (e.g., psychopathy, personality, antisocial behavior, psychopathology). Results suggested some limited support for the YPI-Triarchic scales, although significant concern exists regarding the practical utility of these scales in both clinical (e.g., predicting recidivism) and research settings.