The Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Evaluation of its psychometric properties, incremental validity, and moderating effects of gender in a correctional sample

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI–R) in a mixed gender correctional sample. Results revealed support for the internal consistency of all of the PPI–R scales, for the predictive validity of the PPI–R total and the Self-Centered Impulsivity (SCI) factor scores vis-à-vis recidivism, and for the predictive validity of the total score with regard to violent offense(s). In addition, there was evidence of PPI–R score differences across gender. Nevertheless, there was no support for the predictive utility of the PPI–R factor or content scale scores with regard to the type of offense(s), for the incremental validity of the PPI–R relative to general measures of personality or a community risk/needs assessment instrument in terms of predicting future violence or crimes, or for the moderating effects of gender on the predictive utility of the PPI–R with regard to recidivism or type of offense(s). Finally, potential practical implications regarding the use of the PPI–R at correctional facilities that could aid in the treatment and management of offenders are discussed. Further research is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings, and to expand the empirical support for the psychometric properties of the PPI–R.