Psychopathy and youth violence: research, controversies and clinical utility

Abstract

Empirical research concerning the reliability and predictive validity of the juvenile psychopathy construct, as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV; Forth et al, 2003) is reviewed. The results of an updated meta‐analysis (k = 38) investigating the interrater reliability of the PCL: YV are presented, along with an examination of meta‐analytic findings on the predictive accuracy of the tool. Considerations with respect to gender, ethnicity and development are explored. Some discussion points are offered regarding potential clinical applications of the construct of juvenile psychopathy and the PCL: YV with violent and other criminally adjudicated youths.

Citation

Olver, M. and Stockdale, K. (2010), "Psychopathy and youth violence: research, controversies and clinical utility", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 3-13. https://doi.org/10.5042/bjfp.2010.0181