Canada
Project
At the Burnaby Youth and Victoria Youth Custody Centres, Amanda McCormick, Raymond Corrado, Stephen Hart and Patrick Lussier at the School of Criminology and the Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, and Irwin Cohen at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University College of the Fraser Valley, are conducting ongoing research into the construct validity and reliability of the CAPP with incarcerated youth. They are the first research team to use the CAPP in a youth setting and have provided the initial results regarding its reliability. Amanda McCormick’s Master’s thesis was based on part of this work:
MA thesis (2007). Amanda McCormick, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada.
Title: Interrater reliability of the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality Disorder among a sample of incarcerated serious and violent young offenders.
Abstract
Over the past several decades, the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) has demonstrated utility in predicting general and violent criminality. However, the PCL has been criticized for over-reliance on potentially tautological characteristics such as criminal behaviour to assess its validity, as well as the absence of conceptually related characteristics such as a lack of anxiety. Such criticisms are central to any reconceptualizations of psychopathic personality disorder (PPD). The Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality Disorder (CAPP) presents a hierarchical conceptual model of psychopathy with six dimensions: attachment, behavioural, cognitive, dominance, emotional, and self-styles of functioning. This thesis analyzes the interrater reliability of the CAPP with a sample of 30 incarcerated youth. The results indicate that the CAPP total scores have excellent interrater reliability while the domain scores have good to excellent interrater reliability. Utilizing this data set, future research will include the validation of the CAPP as a more comprehensive measure of PPD.
Contact
A copy of the thesis can be obtained through Simon Fraser University Library
For more information contact:
Mrs Amanda McCormick
School of Criminology
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada
Project
Diane Strub and Stephen Hart, Department of Psychology and the Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University, are conducting a collaborative study together with Mette Kreis, University of Edinburgh & NHS Forth Valley, Scotland. The study examines the convergent and discriminant validity of the CAPP model across clusters of personality disorders (as defined by the DSM-IV) in adult male and female mental health clients, as rated by an international sample of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.
Contact
Ms Diane Strub
Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Student
Department of Psychology
Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada
Project
MA thesis (2009). Natalia L. Nikolova, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada.
Title: Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality Disorder-Institutional Rating Scale (CAPP-IRS) – Validation.
As part of her Master’s thesis, Natalia Nikolova examined the construct validity and reliability of the CAPP-IRS using a mixed correctional sample. Natalia’s MA research was supervised by Prof Kevin S. Douglas and Prof Stephen D. Hart. The thesis was partially funded by BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network (BCMHARN) and MITACS, and was conducted at BC Corrections.
Abstract
This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality-Institutional Rating Scale (CAPP-IRS): Staff Rating Scale, designed for use by staff at secure institutions. Ratings of psychopathy measured by the CAPP-IRS were evaluated against the FFM, as well as a theoretically defined nomological network of factors. Due to the small sample size it is unclear whether the CAPP-IRS as whole is suitable to assess psychopathy. Nevertheless, there is support that at least a couple of the CAPP-IRS domains have good psychometric properties. The concurrent validity of the CAPP-IRS was well established. There is support for its internal consistency reliability; however, its interrater reliability needs to be further evaluated. Practical implications related to implementing the CAPP-IRS in correctional facilities are discussed. Further research is needed to establish the overall psychometric properties of the CAPP-IRS and to determine whether its implementation could enhance the MH-screening process at correctional facilities.
Contact
A copy of the thesis can be obtained through Simon Fraser University Library
For more information contact:
Ms Natalia L. Nikolova
Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Student
Department of Psychology
Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada
T: +1 778 782-7239
Project
Alana Cook and Simone Viljoen, Department of Psychology and the Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University, are conducting a prototypicality study of the CAPP in relation to borderline personality disorder in males and females. The study will use the newly developed Comprehensive Assessment of Borderline Personality (CABP) in the validation of the CAPP. The project is supervised by Prof Stephen D. Hart.
Contact
For more information contact:
Ms Alana N. Cook
Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Student
Simon Fraser University
Department of Psychology
Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada
T: +1 778 782-3354
Project
As part of her doctoral dissertation in Clinical Forensic Psychology at Simon Fraser University, Ashley Murray is investigating clinicians’ perspectives on the treatment of psychopathic personality disorder, as defined by the CAPP. The study aims to identify current strategies to better inform future treatment directions, and assist in the development of a unified, comprehensive treatment strategy that targets symptoms of PPD, rather than the antisocial or violent behavior associated with PPD. The study will use the newly developed Comprehensive Assessment of Borderline Personality (CABP) in the validation of the CAPP. The project is supervised by Prof Stephen D. Hart.
Contact
For more information contact:
Mrs Ashley Murray
Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Student
Simon Fraser University
Mental Health Law and Policy Institute
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6
Canada
T: +1 778 782-3354