Utilization of the personality assessment inventory- antisocial features scale to assess psychopathy in an undergraduate sample: confirming subscale fit

Abstract

The present study examined the factor structure of the Personality Assessment Inventory Antisocial Features scale (PAI-ANT) in a non-forensic sample of 1257 undergraduate students. Five models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)-a one factor, Hare's (1980) two factor, Morey's (2007) three factor, Cooke and Michie's (2001) three factor, and Hare's (2003) four factor models. Based on Bentler's (1995) stringent model fit criteria, none of the proposed models appropriately fit the data. Additionally, regression analyses examined the predictive ability of external correlates on the PAI-ANT subscale and total scores, including affect, attachment, emotional intelligence, personality, risky driving, antisocial behavior, and academic achievement. Results indicated that all external correlates significantly predicted variance in the PAI-ANT scores to some degree. Reckless driving proved one of the best predictors, while academic achievement showed minimal ability to explain variance. These findings suggest that there is construct validity among the PAI-ANT scales, and the use of the PAI-ANT embedded within the overall measure may provide additional information about individuals with psychopathic traits.