1. [Does the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) identify a clinically relevant subgroup among young offenders?].
- Author
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Mingers D, Köhler D, Huchzermeier C, and Hinrichs G
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Antisocial Personality Disorder classification, Antisocial Personality Disorder epidemiology, Cluster Analysis, Comorbidity, Germany, Humans, Juvenile Delinquency legislation & jurisprudence, Juvenile Delinquency statistics & numerical data, Male, Risk Assessment statistics & numerical data, Substance-Related Disorders classification, Substance-Related Disorders diagnosis, Substance-Related Disorders epidemiology, Substance-Related Disorders psychology, Young Adult, Antisocial Personality Disorder diagnosis, Antisocial Personality Disorder psychology, Juvenile Delinquency psychology, Personality Inventory statistics & numerical data, Psychometrics statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Objective: Does the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory identify one or more high-risk subgroups among young offenders? Which recommendations for possible courses of action can be derived for individual clinical or forensic cases? Method: Model-based cluster analysis (Raftery, 1995) was conducted on a sample of young offenders (N = 445, age 14–22 years, M = 18.5, SD = 1.65). The resulting model was then tested for differences between clusters with relevant context variables of psychopathy. The variables included measures of intelligence, social competence, drug use, and antisocial behavior. Results: Three clusters were found (Low Trait, Impulsive/Irresponsible, Psychopathy) that differ highly significantly concerning YPI scores and the variables mentioned above. The YPI Scores Δ Low = 4.28 (Low Trait – Impulsive/Irresponsible) and Δ High = 6.86 (Impulsive/Irresponsible – Psychopathy) were determined to be thresholds between the clusters., Conclusions: The allocation of a person to be assessed within the calculated clusters allows for an orientation of consequent tests beyond the diagnosis of psychopathy. We conclude that the YPI is a valuable instrument for the assessment of young offenders, as it yields clinically and forensically relevant information concerning the cause and expected development of psychopathological behavior.
- Published
- 2017
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