The Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory: Psychometric properties and its relation to substance use and interpersonal style in a Dutch sample of non‐referred adolescents

This study presents evidence on the reliability and construct validity of the Dutch version of the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory (YPI), a self-report instrument for psychopathic traits in adolescent boys and girls. In a sample of 776 Dutch non-referred adolescents, the YPI was found to have good internal consistency. Furthermore, exploratory Principal Components Analysis (PCA) indicated a three-factor structure for the YPI, including a Grandiose-manipulative, Callous-unemotional, and Impulsive-irresponsible dimension. Good internal consistency was demonstrated for all dimensions in boys as well as girls, except for the Callous-unemotional dimension. Results further indicated strong correlations between psychopathic traits and dominant and hostile interpersonal style. The Grandiose-manipulative dimension predicted dominant interpersonal behavior in boys, but not in girls. In girls, a dominant interpersonal style was predicted by the Impulsive-irresponsible dimension. Psychopathic traits, mainly the Impulsive-irresponsible dimension, were related to a higher frequency of self-reported drug and alcohol use in boys and girls.