The Underlying Structure of Psychopathic Traits in Children Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
The Underlying Structure of Psychopathic Traits in Children
Despite growing research on psychopathic traits among children and adolescents in recent
years, the factor structure of commonly used measures of psychopathic traits in youth is still
unresolved, as is the external validity of these factors. The present thesis investigated the
factor structure of psychopathic traits in children as well as the relations between
psychopathic trait dimensions and reactive and proactive aggression. Across zygosity
(monozygotic vs. dizygotic twins), sample type (clinic-referred vs. controls), and sex (boys vs.
girls), the three-factor model (i.e., Narcissism, Callous-Unemotional traits, and Impulsivity)
was shown to be the best-fitting model of psychopathic traits in children as measures by the
Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD). Factorial invariance testing suggested
excellent psychometric properties of the APSD. The external validity of the three-factor
model was supported by the differential associations between the three psychopathic trait
dimensions and reactive and proactive aggression. The present thesis strongly supports the
validity and robustness of the three-factor model of psychopathic traits in children as well as
the generalizability of the APSD across samples.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

General Introduction 1

The conceptualization of psychopathy within a historical perspective 1

Operationalization and measurement of psychopathy 2

Downward extension of psychopathy to youth 3

The present thesis 6

Study 1: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Factorial Invariance Testing of the Antisocial Process Screening Device 6

Introduction 6

The present study and hypotheses 10

Method 11

Participants and procedures 11

Measures 12

Data analyses 12

Results 15

Consistency across zygosity 15

Consistency across sample type 16

Consistency across sex 18

Factor loadings and correlations for the APSD 19

Discussion 19

Strengths and limitations 23

Study 2: Psychopathic Trait Dimensions are Differentially Associated with Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Youth 25

Introduction 25

The present study and hypothesis 30

Method 31

Participants and procedures 31

Measures 32

Data analyses 33

Results 35

Discussion 38

General Discussion 40

References 43

Footnotes 55

Tables 56

Figures 65

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Psychology
Degree	MA
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Clinical
Keyword	psychopathy confirmatory factor analysis children reactive and proactive aggresion
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Waldman, Irwin, Emory University
Committee Members	Lilienfeld, Scott O, Emory University Maney, Donna, Emory University

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