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Competence-Related Abilities and Psychiatric Symptoms: An Analysis of the Underlying Structure and Correlates of the MacCAT-CA and the BPRS

Competence-Related Abilities and Psychiatric Symptoms: An Analysis of the Underlying Structure... The current study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structures of two instruments commonly used in the assessment of competency to stand trial—the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool—Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Results revealed support for the three-subscale factor structure of the MacCAT-CA defined by the authors of the instrument; for a slightly altered three-factor structure defined by Zapf, Skeem, and Golding (2005, Psychological Assessment, 17, 433–445); and for the four symptom clusters of the BPRS as defined by Hedlund and Vieweg (1980, Journal of Operational Psychiatry, 11, 48–63). In addition, exploratory factor analysis of all 24 items of the BPRS revealed a five-factor structure. Correlations between psychiatric symptoms, symptom clusters, and competence-related abilities were also examined using the previously identified and the newly identified factor structures of the MacCAT-CA and the BPRS. Significant relations between symptoms and psycholegal abilities are discussed. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Law and Human Behavior American Psychological Association

Competence-Related Abilities and Psychiatric Symptoms: An Analysis of the Underlying Structure and Correlates of the MacCAT-CA and the BPRS

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References (43)

Publisher
American Psychological Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 American Psychological Association
ISSN
0147-7307
eISSN
1573-661X
DOI
10.1007/s10979-007-9086-8
pmid
17546483
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The current study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structures of two instruments commonly used in the assessment of competency to stand trial—the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool—Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Results revealed support for the three-subscale factor structure of the MacCAT-CA defined by the authors of the instrument; for a slightly altered three-factor structure defined by Zapf, Skeem, and Golding (2005, Psychological Assessment, 17, 433–445); and for the four symptom clusters of the BPRS as defined by Hedlund and Vieweg (1980, Journal of Operational Psychiatry, 11, 48–63). In addition, exploratory factor analysis of all 24 items of the BPRS revealed a five-factor structure. Correlations between psychiatric symptoms, symptom clusters, and competence-related abilities were also examined using the previously identified and the newly identified factor structures of the MacCAT-CA and the BPRS. Significant relations between symptoms and psycholegal abilities are discussed.

Journal

Law and Human BehaviorAmerican Psychological Association

Published: Feb 2, 2008

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