Adolescent psychopathy in relation to delinquent behaviors, conduct disorder, and personality disorders

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between psychopathy as measured by The Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and delinquent behaviors, conduct disorder, and personality disorders in psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. Thirty adolescent inpatients were assessed for psychopathy, delinquent behaviors, DSM-III-R Axis I disorders, and personality disorders using the Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R), the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA-R), and the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SIDP-R). Significant relationships were noted between elevated PCL-R psychopathy scores and delinquent behaviors, conduct disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. The validity of the PCL-R as a measure of psychopathy in adolescence was supported. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the clinical application of the PCL-R to adolescent populations.