The concurrent validity of the Hare psychopathy checklist, youth version in high-risk adolescent females

The present study seeks to expand our understanding of psychopathy in female youth by examining how the relationship between psychopathic traits and aggressive and antisocial behavior may be moderated by gender. The Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Youth Version (PCL:YV) was administered to a clinical sample of 129 adolescent males and females. Regression analyses were run to assess main and interaction effects of gender and psychopathy on aggressive and antisocial behaviors. Scores on the PCL:YV were associated in expected ways with aggression and criminality, and these relationships were largely equivalent across gender. Deficits in affect emerged as a particularly important factor in aggressive conduct among this sample of adolescents. The current study offers preliminary evidence for the concurrent validity of the PCL:YV in female youth, and suggests that this measure may operate comparably in adolescent males and females. Results are discussed in the context of the characteristics of at-risk aggressive youth.