CAPP

PhD thesis (2009). Mette K. F. Kreis, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.
Title: Psychopathy in Women: A Multi-Method Exploration of the Construct using the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP).

As part of her PhD research into psychopathy in women, Mette Kreis conducted several studies using the CAPP. These included content validation of the CAPP across gender using prototypical analysis, and piloting the CAPP-IRS with adult female offenders at an English prison/DSPD site and a Canadian forensic psychiatric hospital. The research was supervised by Prof David Cooke and Dr Lisa Marshall.

Abstract
The construct of psychopathy has been intensely investigated yet predominantly in men (e.g., Nicholls & Petrila, 2005). Consequently, little is known about this severe personality disorder in women and no conceptualization of female psychopathy exists. To progress current knowledge, researchers have been urged to go ‘back to basics’ and start to map and describe the symptoms and domains salient to the construct in women (Forouzan & Cooke, 2005). This project aimed to do this using a new and gender sensitive psychopathy framework, the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP; Cooke, Hart, Logan, & Michie, 2004). Secondly it aimed to construct validate – as the first – the CAPP with women. The thesis also explored the theoretical basis for understanding gender differences in psychopathy, something the field has neglected to do. Firstly the construct was defined in women, a psychopathic female prototype developed, and the CAPP content validated across gender using prototypical analysis. Secondly the construct was explored and described in a sample of women offenders (N = 20) with the CAPP and other personality assessments, using both semi-structured interview and self-report. It is concluded that at a symptom level prototypical psychopathic women and men are very similar, yet important gender differences do exist, especially in the expression of symptoms. The CAPP captures psychopathy well across gender but standard measures of psychopathy (e.g., the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised; Hare, 2003) are not sensitive enough to the construct in women. This project provided an original and valuable contribution towards a clearer understanding of female psychopathy by employing a ‘back to basics’ approach and the CAPP model.

A copy of the thesis can be obtained through Ethos, The British Library
See also the ‘Publications’ section.

Dr Mette K. F. Kreis
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student/Trainee Clinical Psychologist
University of Edinburgh & NHS Forth Valley
Scotland, UK.
E: mfkreis@yahoo.com

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
E: Amanda.McCormick@ufv.ca

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
E: nnikolov@sfu.ca

As part of her PhD research on violence risk assessment, Liselotte Pedersen carried out research on the reliability and predictive validity of the CAPP-IRS in a forensic psychiatric setting. Liselotte’s PhD research was supervised by Prof Peter Elsass and Prof Kirsten Rasmussen.

Study results published in:
Pedersen, L., Kunz, C., Elsass, P., & Rasmussen, K. (2010). Psychopathy as a risk factor for violent recidivism - investigating the Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version (PCL:SV) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) in a forensic psychiatric setting.  International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 9, 308-315.

For more information contact:
Dr Liselotte Pedersen
Senior Researcher
Psychiatric Research Unit
Region Zealand
Smedegade 10-16
4000 Roskilde
Denmark
T: +45 23 71 57 57
E: lispe@regionsjaelland.dk

As part of his PhD research, Helge Andreas Hoff, Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Bergen, is conducting several validation projects of the Norwegian version of the CAPP. These include a prototypicality analysis examining the content validity of the CAPP using lay and expert samples, a convergent validity project comparing the CAPP to the CIRCLE, and a prospective study on the CAPP in a secure treatment facility.

See also the ‘Publications’ section.

For more information contact:
Mr Helge Andreas Hoff
Certified Clinical Psychologist and PhD fellow
Kompetansesenter for sikkerhets-, fengsels-, og rettspsykiatri
Helseregion Vest
Sandviksleitet 1
5035 Bergen
Norway
T: +47 55 95 83 12
E: Helge.Hoff@helse-bergen.no

For more information contact:
Dr Peter Johansson
E: petert.johansson@kriminalvarden.se

For her Master's thesis, Eva Stoll assessed the validity and reliability of the CAPP-IRS in a sample of incarcerated adult male offenders and forensic patients. Eva was supervised by Hanna Heinzen, M.Sc. The study was further accompanied by PD Dr Christian Huchzermeier and Prof Dr Denis Kohler.

Abstract
The study examined the reliability, validity and practicability of the German version of the CAPP-IRS in a small sample of German adult male forensic psychiatric patients and adult male prisoners of a high security state prison. A correlational research design was used, based on a multi-trait-multi-method analysis. The study included the evaluation of the relationship of the CAPP-IRS to a measure of psychopathy (PCL: SV), risk for future violence (HCR-20), trait anxiety (STAI-T) and normal range personality dimensions (NEO-FFI), and to measures of Cluster B personality disorders (SCID-II). The promising results of the study are discussed in light of the construct validity of psychopathy. Furthermore, initial experiences in the application of the German Version of the CAPP-IRS in institutional settings (forensic psychiatry and prison) are discussed critically. Implications for future research are provided.

Study results published in:
Stoll, E., Heinzen, H., Köhler, D., & Huchzermeier, C. (2011). Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP): Validity and practicability of the German version. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: verlag für Polizeiwissenschaft.

For more information contact:
Ms Hanna Heinzen
Zentrum fur Integrative Psychiatrie Kiel & Christian Albrechts University Kiel
E: h.heinzen@zip-kiel.de

As part of her Master’s thesis in Forensic Psychology, Maartje Clercx is conducting a study examining the content validity of the English version of the CAPP in juvenile populations. A further goal is to examine gender differences in psychopathic traits in juveniles, and contribute towards the gender-specific content validity of the CAPP in juvenile forensic patients. The methodology employs the use of prototypicality analysis and focus groups with a sample of juvenile forensic psychology and psychiatry experts. The research is supervised by Prof David J. Cooke, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland; Prof Dr Corine De Ruiter, Maastricht University, the Netherlands, and Dr Lorraine Johnstone, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.        

For more information contact:
Ms Maartje Clercx
Forensic Psychology Postgraduate Student
Faculty of Psychology and Neurosciences
Maastricht University
The Netherlands
E: m.clercx@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl