Validation of the French Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version in a general population sample of emerging adults in France

Introduction

The Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) is one of the most commonly used scales for measuring psychopathic traits from childhood to adulthood.

Objective

The aim of the current research was to scrutinize the psychometric properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version (YPI-S) translated into French.

Method

The factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of YPI-S scores were examined in a sample of 757 emerging adults from the general population in France (aged 18–20 years; 54.43% women).

Results

Results of confirmatory factor analyses support the proposed 3-factor structure (observed in children and adolescents) among both men and women. The YPI-S total score and the 3 factor (Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Impulsive-Irresponsible) scores were internally consistent. Correlations with external criterion variables of interest, including the Dark Triad construct and its components (psychopathy, machiavellianism and narcissism), reactive and proactive aggression, and delinquency, support the convergent validity of the interpretation of YPI-S scores. Finally, findings also suggest that YPI-S works consistently for both men and women.

Conclusion

In addition to demonstrating the psychometric qualities of the French version of the YPI-S, this research provides further evidences for the value of this brief and time-effective self-report instrument in the study of psychopathic traits across different developmental phases, and especially during the transition to adulthood.