The Efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP Program in Reducing Psychopathic Traits: A Controlled Trial with Male Detained Youth

• NCJ Number: 308947
• Journal: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Volume: 89 Issue: 6 Dated: 2021 Pages: 499-513
• Author(s): Diana Ribeiro da Silva; Daniel Rijo; Nélio Brazão; Marlene Paulo; Rita Miguel; Paula Castilho; Paula Vagos; Paul Gilbert; Randall T. Salekin
• Date Published: 2021
• Length: 15 pages
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This paper reports on research which indicates that the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP is a promising treatment approach to reduce psychopathic traits among detained youth; the authors report their goal as having been to reduce the costs and suffering that psychopathic traits have on youth and in society.

Abstract

The research objective was to assess the efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program in reducing psychopathic traits among male detained youth. In this controlled trial, a treatment group (n = 58) and a control group (n = 61) answered the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short (YPIS) and the Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) at baseline, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Treatment participants attended the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP; controls only received Treatment As Usual (TAU). Treatment effects were tested with latent growth curve models (LGCM). At baseline, no significant differences between groups were found. Results from LGCM showed that condition was a significant predictor of change over time observed in almost all outcome measures. Concerning the YPIS, treatment participants presented a significant decrease both in the total score and in the YPIS factors scores when compared with the controls (medium/large effect sizes; growth modeling analysis—GMA d ranging from .58 to 1.12). Considering the PSCD, treatment participants also showed a significant decrease both in the total score and in the PSCD factors scores (except for the grandiose-manipulative factor) when compared with controls (medium effect sizes; GMA d ranging from .53 to .72). Results also showed that treatment effects were maintained 6 months after the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP completion. Findings indicate that the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP is a promising treatment approach to reduce psychopathic traits among male detained youth, suggesting that interventions targeting these traits should be considered in their rehabilitation, as the absence of tailored interventions may increase the levels of psychopathic traits and their associated risks. (Published Abstract Provided)