Criterion Validity of the Psychopathy Checklist in Legal Contexts: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

IF 2.8 3区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL Journal of personality assessment Pub Date : 2025-03-04 DOI:10.1080/00223891.2025.2469268

Lisa Holper, Caroline Ehrbar, Fabienne Fancellu, Nicole Claire Hauser, Elmar Habermeyer, Andreas Mokros

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Abstract

The Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) scales are the most widely used instruments in the assessment of psychopathic personality traits. This updated meta-analysis represents the most extensive synthesis of the PCL scales' criterion validity regarding recidivism and institutional outcomes in legal contexts. According to the results, the PCL total score and Factor 2 criterion validity were moderate and significantly higher for Factor 2 than the total score. The criterion validity of Factor 1 was small and significantly lower than Factor 2 and the total score. The criterion validity of the PCL total score varied considerably between outcomes, with moderate effect sizes for general and violent recidivism, institutional misconduct and violence, and small effect sizes for sexual and intimate partner violence recidivism. A moderator analysis indicated country and sex as the only significant predictors moderating the PCL scales' criterion validity. The total score and Factor 2 were less predictive in the United States than in Canada and Europe for institutional violence. Factor 1 was more predictive in females than males for general and violent recidivism. The present findings may support decision-makers in interpreting the prognostic value and limitations of the PCL scales in the criminal justice system. .

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来源期刊

Journal of personality assessment Multiple-

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

8.80%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Personality Assessment (JPA) primarily publishes articles dealing with the development, evaluation, refinement, and application of personality assessment methods. Desirable articles address empirical, theoretical, instructional, or professional aspects of using psychological tests, interview data, or the applied clinical assessment process. They also advance the measurement, description, or understanding of personality, psychopathology, and human behavior. JPA is broadly concerned with developing and using personality assessment methods in clinical, counseling, forensic, and health psychology settings; with the assessment process in applied clinical practice; with the assessment of people of all ages and cultures; and with both normal and abnormal personality functioning.