an examination of the factor structure of the psychopathy checklist

only a small proportion of conduct-disordered youth display callous and unemotional
traits associated with psychopathy (Frick, 2002; Frick et al., 2000; Salekin, 2006;
Salekin & Frick, 2005). Given this research and the concerns outlined previously, it is
imperative that assessments of psychopathy on adolescents be well validated and
shown to have a reliable and useful factor structure. In fact, an investigation of the factor
structure of psychopathy assessment measures is a necessary first step in addressing
other forms of an instrument’s validity such as its predictive (e.g., recidivism) validity; a
measure cannot be used effectively prior to determining its factor structure.
1.2 Factor Structure of the PCL:YV
Under the assumption that psychopathy manifests itself in much the same way in
adolescents as it does in adults, methods for assessing youth psychopathy have used
downward extensions of the construct of adult psychopathy. The assessment of
psychopathy in adults is accomplished through the use of the Psychopathy Checklist –
Revised (PCL – R; Hare, 2003), which is considered by many to be the gold standard
for assessing psychopathic traits among adults (Acheson, 2005; Edens et al., 2001;
Salekin, Rogers, & Sewell, 1996). Relatively recently, Frick (2002) advocated that
research on psychopathic tendencies in youth be informed by a developmental
perspective. Consistent with this recommendation, Forth et al. (2003) created the
Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; See Appendix A), which is based on
the PCL – R, by modifying nine of the 20 items to reflect the different contexts in which
adolescents function and to ensure appropriate attention to developmental norms. For
example, item 9 on the PCL – R, “parasitic lifestyle” which includes living off of or being
supported by others was considered by some to be inappropriate since youth are
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