Psychometric Properties of the Self-Report Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) Scale Among Justice-Involved Girls in Belgium

The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) measures the grandiose-manipulative, callous-unemotional, and daring-impulsive components of psychopathy, along with conduct disorder (CD) symptoms. Although several psychometric studies have been conducted on the PSCD, its psychometric properties have not been examined in justice-involved girls. Accordingly, this study tested the factor structure, reliability, and validity of PSCD in 122 justice-involved girls. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed hierarchical four-factor model. Internal consistency of the PSCD total and subscale scores was satisfactory. Convergent and criterion validity were supported, as PSCD scores were significantly associated with scores of another psychopathy measure (Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory; YPI) and relevant correlates, including DSM-5 CD symptoms/diagnosis, proactive aggression, trait impulsivity, and school performance. Discriminant validity was also demonstrated, as the PSCD scores were unrelated to anxiety and depression. Furthermore, profile similarity analyses revealed weak to strong similarity among the nomological networks of the PSCD subscales; though, coefficients remained below redundancy thresholds, supporting meaningful differentiation. Finally, PSCD scores showed small but significant incremental contributions over corresponding YPI scores, with the CD subscale demonstrating the strongest incremental values over the YPI total score. Overall, the PSCD holds promise as a research tool in justice-involved girls, although incremental validity requires further investigation.