Criminology professor debunks myths and misperceptions about psychopathy in his latest book

Using cutting-edge research methods, associate professor Evan McCuish sheds light on the long-term outcomes of youth with psychopathic traits in his latest book, “Psychopathy in Adolescence and its Consequences in Adulthood”.

According to McCuish, pop culture often gets psychopathy backwards, while academic literature on the subject can be technical, confusing, and at times contradictory.

“I wanted to write a book that could be understood by undergraduate and graduate students without watering down information on psychopathy,” says McCuish.

The book clarifies what psychopathy is, debunks common myths and misperceptions about the disorder, and draws on the stories of over 500 incarcerated youth who were assessed for psychopathy traits and then followed into adulthood for several decades. It looks at the validity of the PCL:YV, a clinical rating instrument used to assess psychopathic traits in youth, using advanced methods like confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory, and psychopathology network modelling.

McCuish analyzed decades of data with techniques such as generalized estimating equations, social network analysis, and structural equation modelling to explore how psychopathy traits in youth affect adult outcomes. In seven empirical chapters, McCuish combines these analyses with case studies to clarify key concepts.

“Readers will learn not just about long-term offending outcomes, but also about the influence of psychopathy on social relations, employment outcomes, substance use, and even mortality,” says McCuish. “Case studies from interviews with youth involved in serious and violent offences are used to clarify and exemplify complex statistical analyses.”

Professor McCuish is uniquely positioned to write this book. He leads the Incarcerated Serious and Violent Young Offender Study (ISVYOS), which has been ongoing since 1998 and involves the examination of 1,719 system-involved youth followed through adulthood. With decades of data and firsthand insight, he brings unique depth to the conversation around psychopathy.

Ideal for students, scholars, and practitioners in psychology, criminology, social work, and those seeking further insight into psychopathy, the book is now available at the link below:

Psychopathy in Adolescence and its Consequences in Adulthood