From alcohol to aggression: Examining the structure and nomological network of dysregulated behaviors in a trauma‐exposed community sample

The psychometric properties of the 64-item Self-Report Psychopathy Scale–III (SRP-III) and its abbreviated 28-item SRP–Short Form (SRP-SF) seem promising. Still, cross-cultural evidence for its construct validity in heterogeneous community samples remains relatively scarce. Moreover, little is known about the interchangeability of both instruments. The present study addresses these research gaps by comparing the SRP-III and SRP-SF factorial construct validity and nomological network in a Belgian community sample. The four-factor model of psychopathy was evaluated ( N = 1,510) and the SRP scales’ relationship with various external correlates (i.e., attachment, bullying and victimization, right-wing attitudes, right-wing authoritarianism, and response styles) was examined ( n = 210). Both SRP versions demonstrated a good fit for the four-factor model and a considerable overlap with the nomological network of psychopathy. The results suggested that the SRP-SF provides a viable alternative to the SRP-III for assessment in the community. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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Validation of the Short Dark Triad in a German Sample

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000617 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Caroline Wehner ◽

Ulrike Maaß ◽

Marius Leckelt ◽

Mitja D. Back ◽

Matthias Ziegler

Keyword(s):

Sensation Seeking ◽

Factor Model ◽

Structural Models ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Dark Triad ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Nomological Network ◽

Competitive Test ◽

Three Factor ◽

Behavioral Criteria

Abstract. The structure, correlates, and assessment of the Dark Triad are widely discussed in several fields of psychology. Based on the German version of the Short Dark Triad (SDT), we add to this by (a) providing a competitive test of existing structural models, (b) testing the nomological network, and (c) proposing an ultrashort 9-item version of the SDT (uSDT). A sample of N = 969 participants provided data on the SDT and a range of further measures. Our competitive test of five structural models revealed that fit indices and nomological network assumptions were best met in a three-factor model, with separate factors for psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism. The results provided an extensive overview of the raw, unique, and shared associations of Dark Triad dimensions with narcissism facets, sadism, impulsivity, self-esteem, sensation seeking, the Big Five, maladaptive personality traits, sociosexual orientation, and behavioral criteria. Finally, the uSDT exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties. The highest overlap in expected relations between SDT and uSDT, and convergent and discriminant measures was also found for the three-factor model. Our study underlines the utility of a three-factor model of the Dark Triad, extends findings on its nomological network, and provides an ultrashort instrument.

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Measurement Invariance of the Parent Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Across Community and Clinical Populations

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000339 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 238-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Iris A. M. Smits ◽

Meinou H. C. Theunissen ◽

Sijmen A. Reijneveld ◽

Maaike H. Nauta ◽

Marieke E. Timmerman

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Community Sample ◽

Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Favorable Result ◽

Strengths And Difficulties ◽

Parent Version ◽

Clinical Populations

Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a popular screening instrument for the detection of social-emotional and behavioral problems in children in community and clinical settings. To sensibly compare SDQ scores across these settings, the SDQ should measure psychosocial difficulties and strengths in the same way across community and clinical populations, that is, the SDQ should be measurement invariant across both populations. We examined whether measurement invariance of the parent version of the SDQ holds using data from a community sample (N = 707) and a clinical sample (N = 931). The results of our analysis suggest that measurement invariance of the SDQ parent version across community and clinical populations is tenable, implying that one can compare the SDQ scores of children across these populations. This is a favorable result since it is common clinical practice to interpret the scores of a clinical individual relative to norm scores that are based on community samples. The findings of this study support the continued use of the parent version of the SDQ in community and clinical settings.

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The Multiple Faces of Risk-Taking

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000335 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 17-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Florian Schmitz ◽

Karsten Manske ◽

Franzis Preckel ◽

Oliver Wilhelm

Keyword(s):

Risk Taking ◽

Basic Research ◽

Formal Models ◽

Experimental Paradigm ◽

Nomological Network ◽

Balloon Analogue Risk Task ◽

Parameter Recovery ◽

Task Specificity ◽

Available Information ◽

Criterion Variables

Abstract. The Balloon-Analogue Risk Task (BART; Lejuez et al., 2002 ) is one of the most popular behavioral tasks suggested to assess risk-taking in the laboratory. Previous research has shown that the conventionally computed score is predictive, but neglects available information in the data. We suggest a number of alternative scores that are motivated by theories of risk-taking and that exploit more of the available data. These scores can be grouped around (1) risk-taking, (2) task performance, (3) impulsive decision making, and (4) reinforcement sequence modulation. Their theoretical rationale is detailed and their validity is tested within the nomological network of risk-taking, deviance, and scholastic achievement. Two multivariate studies were conducted with youths (n = 435) and with adolescents/young adults (n = 316). Additionally, we tested formal models suggested for the BART that decompose observed behavior into a set of meaningful parameters. A simulation study with parameter recovery was conducted, and the data from the two studies were reanalyzed using the models. Most scores were reliable and differentially predictive of criterion variables and may be used in basic research. However, task specificity and the generally moderate validity do not warrant use of the experimental paradigm for diagnostic purposes.

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Factorial Structure of the SCAS and Its Relationship With the SDQ

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000117 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 28-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Daniela Di Riso ◽

Daphne Chessa ◽

Andrea Bobbio ◽

Adriana Lis

Keyword(s):

Age Differences ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Factor Model ◽

Community Sample ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Factorial Structure ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Culturally Based ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Italian Children

The factorial structure of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS; Spence, 1997 ) was examined in a community sample of 1,397 Italian children from 8 to 10 years old. Sex and age differences as regards anxiety symptoms were also analyzed. The convergent validity of the SCAS was explored through correlations with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1997 ). The use of confirmatory factor analysis supported the six correlated factor model of the SCAS with only minor differences compared to the original work by Spence (1997 ), and it was therefore named SCAS-it. Modifications to the original SCAS were supported by methodologically, theoretically, and culturally based arguments. The internal consistency of the SCAS-it was acceptable. Females displayed significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms than males, while age differences were nonsignificant. Positive correlations were found between the SCAS-it and selected subscales of the SDQ. The results support the SCAS model, with few exceptions that do not threaten the utility of Spence’s tool.

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Sex Differences in Childhood Associations between DNA Markers and General Cognitive Ability

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001.28.3.161 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 161-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rosalind Arden ◽

Nicole Harlaar ◽

Robert Plomin

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Dna Markers ◽

Community Sample ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

The Difference

Abstract. An association between intelligence at age 7 and a set of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has been identified and replicated. We used this composite SNP set to investigate whether the associations differ between boys and girls for general cognitive ability at ages 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 10 years. In a longitudinal community sample of British twins aged 2-10 (n > 4,000 individuals), we found that the SNP set is more strongly associated with intelligence in males than in females at ages 7, 9, and 10 and the difference is significant at 10. If this finding replicates in other studies, these results will constitute the first evidence of the same autosomal genes acting differently on intelligence in the two sexes.

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