Clarifying the association between psychopathy dimensions and internalizing symptoms in two community samples: The role of general personality

Psychopathy measurement practices moderate psychopathy's association with anxiety and depression: A comprehensive meta-analysis

Theories of psychopathy development traditionally emphasize that individuals high in psychopathy experience diminished internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression). However, many studies find null or even positive relationships between psychopathy and internalizing. The current meta-analysis therefore aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of heterogeneity in psychopathy-anxiety/depression relationships by examining measurement and sample-related variables that may moderate these associations (e.g., psychopathy subdimensions assessed, different measures/operationalizations of psychopathy and anxiety/depression, and demographic characteristics). Results suggest that psychopathy demonstrates a small, positive overall association with anxiety/depression (r = 0.09), which may indicate that psychopathy is unrelated to subjective experiences of anxiety and sadness, but results could also reflect that varying psychopathy and anxiety/depression assessment practices contribute to heterogeneity in psychopathy-anxiety/depression associations. Most notably, results indicate that associations vary substantially across different measures/operationalizations of psychopathy, even when controlling for sample type and informant. Some psychopathy scales could therefore inadvertently capture anxiety/depression symptoms or broader psychopathology in addition to psychopathic traits. Findings from the current meta-analysis can inform future efforts to understand how measurement-related considerations influence relationships between psychopathy and anxiety/depression.

Disinhibition domain and facets uniquely predict changes in depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning

This study aimed to understand the role of disinhibition (low conscientiousness)-in conjunction with the other major personality traits of negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, and psychoticism-in predicting changes in depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Both the disinhibition trait domain and its primary facets (i.e., irresponsibility, impulsivity, and distractibility) were examined. In a large sample (Time 1 N = 605, Time 2 N = 497) of psychiatric outpatients and high-risk community residents, personality traits, depressive symptoms (both self-reported and interviewer-rated), and psychosocial functioning levels (i.e., daily functioning, interpersonal functioning, health-related quality of life, and global quality of life) were collected across two time points. Results showed that the disinhibition domain was the strongest predictor of changes in depressive symptoms and general quality of life levels. Disinhibition facets also predicted changes in depressive symptoms but showed a less consistent pattern compared to the broader trait domain. Finally, the irresponsibility and distractibility facets significantly and uniquely explained changes in interpersonal functioning. The study highlights the importance of assessing the disinhibition trait rather than only negative and positive affectivity (which are well-known correlates of depression), for understanding changes in depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning. The findings identify potential targets in psychotherapy for individuals with disinhibition traits and depressive disorders.

Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Expanded Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale in Community and University Samples

The aim of the current study was to further examine the psychometric properties of the Expanded Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (E-LSRP; Christian & Sellbom, 2016). Specifically, its reliability, internal structure, and convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using university (N = 367) and community samples (N = 205) from Aotearoa New Zealand. The results provided support for the reliability and validity of the E-LSRP in both samples. More specifically, the internal consistency estimates of the E-LSRP were above the meaningful threshold, indicating good reliability. Furthermore, using confirmatory factor analysis, the hypothesized three-factor structure was supported and conceptually consistent with Cooke and Michie's (2001) Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) three-factor model. Lastly, the results generally provided support for the convergent and discriminant validity of the E-LSRP subscales; the E-LSRP Egocentricity was associated with criteria relevant to interpersonal impairment, the Callous scale with criteria relevant to the affective psychopathy domain, and the Antisocial scale with criteria representing behavioral dysfunction. Overall, the E-LSRP is a promising tool for assessing psychopathy in nonincarcerated populations.