PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES AND FACTOR STRUCTURE OF TRIARCHIC PSYCHOPATHY MEASURE (TRIPM) IN PORTUGUESE ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Psychopathy is a personality structure characterized by a set of dysfunctional traits, impulsive and irresponsible behavior, poor and arrogant personal style in social interactions, and lack of prosocial emotions. Although it cannot be diagnosed in adolescents, its presence has been referenced in this population. Its association with antisocial and criminal behavior in young people has been demonstrated. It is therefore important that psychopathic traits be identified as early as possible to predict and control future criminal behavior. However, the specific evaluation instruments for this population are scarce. The aim of the present study is the validation, for this population, of an instrument for the evaluation of psychopathy, the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM). The TriPM was applied to a validation sample of 793 young or Portuguese adolescents. Confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) was performed, and the results found were considered satisfactory, χ2(1350) = 5980.77, p < .001, RMSEA = .067 (95% C.I. = [.064 - .068]), CFI = .915, TLI = .910, and SRMR = .080.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.031-016