Validity of the Modified Child Psychopathy Scale for Juvenile Justice Center Residents

Adult psychopathy has proven to be an important clinical and forensic construct, but much less is known about juvenile psychopathy. In the present study, we examined the construct validity of the self report modified Child Psychopathy Scale mCPS; Lynam (Psychological Bulletin 120:(2), 209–234, 1997) in a sample of 57 adolescents residing in a Dutch juvenile justice center, aged between 13 and 22 years. The mCPS total score was reliably related to high externalizing problems, low empathy, high anger and aggression, high impulsivity, high (violent) delinquency, and high alcohol/drug use. Unique relations were found for the antisocial-impulsive (mCPS Factor 2), but not the callous-unemotional facet of psychopathy (mCPS Factor 1). Our findings support the validity of the mCPS in that it encompasses the antisocial-impulsive facet of psychopathy, but it is less clear whether the mCPS sufficiently captures the affective-interpersonal facet of psychopathy

Gedragsstoornissen: Een forensischpsychiatrische beschouwing

Most of the adolescents in forensic psychiatric hospitals turn out to have adisruptive behaviour disorder and a high risk of recidivism. What are the symptomsof the disruptive behaviour disorders? What is known about the aetiologyand course of these disorders? What are the implications for the assessmentand treatment in forensic psychiatric hospitals? In the present literature study,we will address these issues. More specifically, we will focus on neurobiologicalfactors and their interactions with environmental factors, as well as on thepredicting power of the diagnose. Although there is a growing body of evidencethat neurobiological factors and their interplay with environmental factors playa significant role in the aetiology and course of disruptive behaviour disorders,there remain many questions about its causal relationships and underlyingmechanisms. Furthermore, the predicting power of the diagnose of disruptivebehaviour disorder turns out to be limited. Moreover, the findings only allowfor modest conclusions regarding the scientific and clinical implications