[Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM-P): preliminary study in the Brazilian context]

The direct observation of interpersonal behaviors is an important resource in the description and diagnosis of the psychopathic personality. The Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM-P) is a psychometric instrument comprised of 21 items, designed to be applied in association with other instruments that also evaluate psychopaths. It focuses specifically on interpersonal and non-verbal behaviors that become evident during the interaction between the interviewer and individuals with psychopathic characteristics.

To describe preliminary results obtained in the assessment of interpersonal behaviors of psychopathic individuals using the IM-P, including instrument translation/adaptation and inter-rater reliability results, in a sample of Brazilian adolescents.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlation study conducted with a sample of 20 institutionalized male adolescents from the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Following instrument translation, interviewer training, and a pilot study conducted using a semi-structured interview, the IM-P was scored by three independent raters.

The statistical results obtained using Kendall's coefficient of concordance revealed a high and satisfactory inter-rater agreement for IM-P total scores (W = 0.84; p < 0.001). Some items showed conflicting results and were therefore discussed and evaluated separately.

The psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the IM-P, as assessed in this preliminary study, showed consistent inter-rater concordance, suggesting instrument reliability. Some study limitations are discussed, as are some relevant aspects that should be taken into consideration in future research involving the IM-P.