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Psychopathic-like traits in detained adolescents: clinical usefulness of self-report

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Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that self-report tools can be used to reliably and validly examine psychopathic-like traits in adolescents. However, it is unclear if self-report instruments are still reliable and valid when confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, such as during routine assessments in juvenile detention centres. To address this issue, the current study used data from the routine mental health screening of 365 detained male adolescents (12–18 years) in two juvenile detention centres. With the intention of gaining insight in the clinical usefulness of self-reported psychopathic-like traits, we examined relations known from literature with emotional and behavioural features. Self-reported psychopathic-like traits, measured by the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short version (YPI-S), were uniquely associated with substance abuse, anger/irritability, conduct problems and hyperactivity, but not with internalizing problems. YPI-S-dimensions showed several specific relationships with variables of interest. For example, only the callous unemotional dimension was negatively related with prosocial behaviour and only the behavioural dimension was positively related with hyperactivity. In conclusion, self-reported psychopathic-like traits showed expected relations with relevant variables. These findings suggest that self-report can be used to identify detained youths with high levels of psychopathic-like traits outside a research context, thus, even when anonymity and confidentiality are not guaranteed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the board of directors, the staff and the detainees of Juvenile Detention Centres LSG-Rentray Lelystad and Forensisch Centrum Teylingereind for their cooperation. This study was funded by a Grant from the Ministry of Justice to LSG-Rentray and Teylingereind. All authors are affiliated with the Academic Workplace Forensic Care for Youth, funded by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw, The Hague; Grant No. 159010002).

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Workplace Forensic Care for Youth, P.O. Box 94, 7200 AB, Zutphen, The Netherlands

    Pauline Vahl, Olivier F. Colins, Henny P. B. Lodewijks, Monica T. Markus, Theo A. H. Doreleijers & Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren

  2. Curium-LUMC, Leiden University Medical Centre, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Endegeesterstraatweg 27, 2342 AK, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

    Pauline Vahl, Olivier F. Colins, Monica T. Markus & Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren

  3. LSG-Rentray, P.O. Box 94, 7200 AB, Zutphen, The Netherlands

    Henny P. B. Lodewijks

  4. VUmc de Bascule, P.O. Box 303, 1115 ZG, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands

    Theo A. H. Doreleijers & Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren

Authors
  1. Pauline Vahl
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  2. Olivier F. Colins
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  3. Henny P. B. Lodewijks
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  4. Monica T. Markus
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  5. Theo A. H. Doreleijers
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  6. Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pauline Vahl.

Appendix

Appendix

YPI-S-items

  1. 1.

    I have probably skipped school or work more than most other people.

  2. 2.

    I consider myself as a pretty impulsive person.

  3. 3.

    I think that crying is a sign of weakness, even if no one sees you.

  4. 4.

    I have the ability to con people by using my charm and smile.

  5. 5.

    I am good at getting people to believe in me when I make something up.

  6. 6.

    When other people have problems, it is often their own fault, therefore, one should not help them.

  7. 7.

    It often happens that I talk first and think later.

  8. 8.

    I have talents that go far beyond other people’s.

  9. 9.

    It is easy for me to manipulate people.

  10. 10.

    To be nervous and worried is a sign of weakness.

  11. 11.

    I get bored quickly by doing the same thing over and over.

  12. 12.

    It often happens that I do things without thinking ahead.

  13. 13.

    It has happened several times that I have borrowed something and then lost it.

  14. 14.

    When I need to, I use my smile and my charm to use others.

  15. 15.

    I do not understand how people can be touched enough to cry by looking at things on TV or movie.

  16. 16.

    I am destined to become a well-known, important and influential person.

  17. 17.

    To feel guilty and remorseful about things you have done that have hurt other people is a sign of weakness.

  18. 18.

    I do not let my feelings affect me as much as other people’s feelings seem to affect them.

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Vahl, P., Colins, O.F., Lodewijks, H.P.B. et al. Psychopathic-like traits in detained adolescents: clinical usefulness of self-report. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 23, 691–699 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0497-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0497-4

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