Browsing by Author "DeLisi, Matt"
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- Dark triad psychopathy outperforms self-control in predicting antisocial outcomes: a structural equation modeling approachseabreamPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Curtis, Shelby; DeLisi, Matt; Maroco, João; Nunes, CristinaDark Triad traits and self-control are considered viable causal precursors to antisocial and criminal outcomes in youth. The purpose of the present study is to concurrently compare how Dark Triad traits and self-control differ in terms of predicting self-reported juvenile delinquency, CD symptoms, proactive overt aggression, and crime seriousness. The sample consisted of 567 (M = 15.91 years, SD = 0.99 years, age range = 14–18 years) Southern European youth from Portugal. Structural-equation-modelling procedures revealed that the psychopathy factor of Dark Triad traits presented the strongest significant hypothetical causal associations with the antisocial/criminal outcomes, followed by self-control. Machiavellianism and narcissism presented the lowest causal associations. Our findings indicate that psychopathy, as operationalized in the Dark Triad, concurrently surpasses self-control and the remaining factors of the Dark Triad in terms of predicting antisocial/criminal outcomes in youth. This suggests that behavioral disinhibition, or a core incapacity to regulate one’s conduct, is central for understanding delinquency and externalizing psychopathology. Comparatively, the interpersonal component of dark personality features, such as Machiavellianism and narcissism, are secondary for understanding crime.
- Examination of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory—short form among Portuguese young adults: psychometrics and measurement invariancePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; DeLisi, Matt; Freitas, Andreia; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Nunes, CristinaThe Weinberger Adjustment Inventory-Short Form (WAI-SF) is a multidimensional measure of behavioral adjustment frequently used with forensic, clinical, and community populations. However, no previous studies have examined the WAI-SF from a more modern psychometric perspective including second-order models, measurement invariance and a better estimation of reliability. The current sample is composed of female and male young adults (N = 610, M = 21.33 years, SD = 3.09, range = 18-37) from a university context in Portugal. Results indicated that both the four-factor intercorrelated and the four-factor second order models of the WAI-SF Distress and Restraint scales showed good fits. The WAI-SF Distress and Restraint scales were negatively and significantly correlated, and the intercorrelations between the subscales of each scale ranged from moderate to high. The WAI-SF scales and subscales mostly showed adequate to good reliability in terms of McDonald's Omega and the more traditional Cronbach's Alpha. Strong cross-gender measurement invariance was demonstrated, with females scoring significantly higher than males on the Anxiety subscale of the Distress scale, and on the Suppression of Aggression, Impulse Control, Consideration of Others, Responsibility subscales, and Restraint scale. The WAI-SF scales and subscales showed distinctive correlates with other measures (e.g., low self-control, psychopathy) and variables (e.g., delinquency seriousness, substance use). Considering our findings, the use of the WAI-SF is recommended among the Portuguese young adult population and its use in criminological research is encouraged.
- Propensity to morally disengage scale: psychometric properties and measurement invariance among a portuguese samplePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Bonfá-Araujo, Bruno; Simões, Mário R.; Nunes, Cristina; DeLisi, MattThe propensity to morally disengage can be an essential driver of unethical, antisocial, and criminal behavior. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Propensity to Morally Disengage Scale (PMDS) among a convenience sample of 242 male and female participants (M = 30.19 years, SD = 12.78, range = 16-77) from Portugal. The expected one-factor structure obtained an adequate fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency/reliability was adequate as measured by the alpha and omega coefficients. Convergent validity (i.e. with dark traits, low self-control, violence evaluation, and antisociality/criminality tendencies measures), divergent validity (i.e. with basic empathy and light traits of personality measures), and criterion-related validity (e.g. with trouble with the law, arrested by police, sentenced to prison variables) were demonstrated with Pearson and point-biserial correlations. Measurement invariance across gender was established. Significant gender differences in the PMDS scores were found, with males scoring significantly higher than females. Our findings support using the PMDS Portuguese version as a short, valid, and reliable measure of moral disengagement.
- Psychometric examination of the proposed specifiers for conduct disorder self-report (PSCD) among an adult community sample from BrazilPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Bonfá-Araujo, Bruno; Baptista, Makilim Nunes; Nunes, Cristina; DeLisi, Matt; Salekin, Randall T.The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) is a promising novel scale that measures psychopathic traits and includes an additional conduct disorder factor that taps the antisocial dimension of psychopathy. The current study sought to broaden the application of PSCD by examining the factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and connections to delinquency in a young adult sample ( N = 450; M = 31.91 years, SD = 13.02 years) obtained from the Brazilian community. Participants completed a self-report version of the PSCD along with other theoretically meaningful psychometric measures. Results supported a four-factor intercorrelated factor structure, with male participants scoring significantly higher than female participants on the PSCD total, grandiose-manipulative (GM), callous-unemotional (CU), daring-impulsive (DI), and conduct disorder (CD) factors. The four factors of the PSCD mainly presented positive, moderate to high significant inter-correlations and adequate reliability. The convergent validity with measures of the dark tetrad of personality, difficulties in emotion regulation, and self-reported delinquency also revealed positive moderate significant associations. Our findings support the use of the PSCD as a promising short, time-effective self-report measure of psychopathic traits in young adults.
- The brief self-control scale and its refined version among incarcerated and community youths: psychometrics and measurement invariancePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; DeLisi, Matt; Goncalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Quintas, Jorge; Hugo Palma, VictorSelf-control refers to the ability to override impulses and behave in accordance with societal norms, and deficits in self-control are strongly associated with conduct problems, externalizing disorders, crime, and violence. Here, we examine the psychometric properties of the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) and its refined version (BSCS-R) among a forensic sample (n = 131) of incarcerated male youth and a school sample of male (n = 257) and female (n = 213) youth from Portugal. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the original one-factor structure of the BSCS and the refined two-factor structure of the BSCS-R obtained adequate fits. The BSCS demonstrated strong measurement invariance across gender and setting (forensic versus school), while the BSCS-R only revealed gender measurement invariance. The BSCS also tended to perform better that the BSCS-R in terms of other psychometric properties, including internal consistency measured by Alpha and Omega coefficients, discriminant and convergent validities, criterion validity, and known-groups validity. Findings support the use of the BSCS among justice-involved and community youth, but caution is advised regarding the use of its refined version in forensic settings.
- Weinberger adjustment inventory Portuguese version: a study of cross-cultural adaptation and measurement invariancePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Shircliff, Katie; DeLisi, Matt; Simões, Mário R.; Cyders, Melissa A.We examine the psychometric properties of the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI) from a modern psychometric perspective, including second-order models, better estimation of reliability, and measurement invariance, among a sample of young adults (N = 610, M = 21.33 years, SD = 3.09 years) from Portugal. Results indicated that only the four-factor intercorrelated confirmatory models of the WAI Distress and Restraint scales, and the two-factor intercorrelated confirmatory models of the WAI Defensiveness scales showed adequate fits. The WAI showed good reliability and distinctive correlates with other psychometric measures and criterion variables. Cross-gender measurement invariance was established. Our findings support the WAI as a valid and reliable measure.