Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder-Short Version (PSCD-SV): Psychometric Properties, Concurrent Correlates and Parenting Predictors

Abstract

The present study aims to further examine the four-factor model of psychopathy in adolescence with a new alternate model for the assessment of psychopathic traits and conduct disorder (CD): The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder-Short version (PSCD-SV). Data were collected in a sample of 414 adolescents (49.2% females) aged 12-15 at the first assessment who were then followed-up 2 years later. Results supported the usefulness of the PSCD-SV to assess the broader construct of psychopathy showing good psychometric properties, including adequate reliability and validity, while accounting for all its dimensions. In addition, the study showed close associations between psychopathic traits and adolescent behavioral, emotional and psychosocial maladjustment. Finally, the findings elucidated the PSCD's connection to parental support and psychological control, and reinforced the potential role of parenting practices as predictors that can act as mechanisms of change in the development of psychopathy. Overall, current findings shed light on conceptual and developmental models of psychopathy that may have implications for assessment, diagnostic classification, prevention, and intervention.

Keywords: Adolescence; Conduct disorder; PSCD-SV; Parenting practices; Psychopathic traits.

Fig. 1

Standardized model parameters for the four-factor superordinate model of the Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder-Short Version (PSCD-SV). PP Psychopathic Personality, GM grandiose/deceitful, CU callous-unemotional, DI daring/impulsive, CD conduct disorder, PSCD Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder. Fit indices and factor loadings were equivalent between the superordinate and the four-factor interrelated models. In the four-factor interrelated, all PSCD-SV dimensions were significantly correlated (p ˂ 0.001): GM–CU = 0.60; GM–DI = 0.57; GM–CD = 0.78; CU–DI = 0.36; CU–CD = 0.63; DI–CD = 0.65

Fig. 2

Significant results of the SEM parenting model predicting psychopathic traits. Dotted line represents significant relationships in non-standardized results. GM Grandiose/deceitful, CU Callous-unemotional, DI Daring/Impulsive, CD conduct disorder