Understanding the relationship between psychopathic traits and client variables: variable-centered and person-centered analytic approaches

This study explored the relationships between psychopathic traits and client variables that impact the psychotherapy process/outcome. Variable-centered and person-centered analyses were utilized to first examine associations between psychopathic traits and client variables, and second to identify and compare homogeneous classes of individuals with psychopathic traits in client variables. 407 university students (aged 18-57, M = 28.19, SD = 7.45) were recruited online and completed the study measures. Results of correlational analyses indicated that higher scores on all psychopathy dimensions assessed by the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version (YPI-S) were significantly associated with poorer client variables scores. YPI-S behavioral dimension had the strongest correlations with client variables, while the affective dimension exhibited stronger correlations than the interpersonal dimension. Furthermore, a latent profile analysis with the three YPI-S subscales identified five distinct profiles: "non-PP" (n = 226), "High GM" (n = 23), "High II" (n = 33), "High CU" (n = 31), and "Moderate GM-High CU/II" (n = 94). These profiles demonstrated significant differences in client variables, with the "Moderate GM-High CU/II" and "High II" groups displaying poorer scores than the other groups. Findings highlight the importance of considering/interpreting each dimension of psychopathy in treatment settings, as they exhibit different degrees of associations with client variables. Additionally, the unique profiles of psychopathic features should be considered when evaluating psychopathy measures' total score since individuals with the same total score can have different patterns of elevations on each dimension. Implications of findings from this study for practice and future research are further discussed.