Psychopathy in Offenders with Intellectual Disabilities: A Comparison of the PCL-R and PCL:SV

Abstract

Psychopathy is one of the strongest predictors of future offending and is often included as an important item in structured risk assessment tools. Recent research recognizes the importance of psychopathy in offenders with intellectual disabilities (OIDs). This study presents data on the clinical utility of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) among OIDs. The psychometric properties of both instruments were similar, although the PCL:SV might have some minor advantages. First because of the absence of the PCL–R item marital relationships, which appeared difficult to score. Second, the PCL:SV is less time-consuming than its extended counterpart. Future research confirming these results with larger cohorts is recommended.

Keywords:

• intellectual disability
• offenders
• psychopathy
• antisocial personality disorder
• risk assessment
• PCL-R
• PCL:SV

Notes

¹ Items 12, 17, and 19 of the PCL–R and Item 11 of the PCL:SV were removed from the item analyses because of the number of missing items.

² One participant got a disciplinary report for stealing from another prisoner.