Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The proposed specifiers for conduct disorder scale short version (PSCD-SV) is a 13-item shorter version of the original 24-item PSCD developed to assess psychopathic traits in children and adolescents. The current study aimed to examine the factor structure, measurement invariance, and construct validity of the parent-rated PSCD-SV (PSCD-SV-P) in Chinese preschool children. METHODS: A sample of Chinese preschoolers (N = 559, M (age) = 4.82, SD = 0.86, 46.7% girls) was drawn from two preschools in Guizhou Province through convenience sampling. The PSCD-SV-P and other criterion measures (i.e., CPTI and SDQ) were completed by the preschoolers' parents. RESULTS: The CFA results generally supported both proposed first-order four-factor model and four-factor superordinate structure, and the MCFA further verified that the originally proposed first-order factor solution of PSCD-SV-P scores had scalar invariance across children's genders (i.e., boys and girls). Moreover, the PSCD-SV-P scores had acceptable internal consistency (i.e., McDonald's ω, and MICs), the convergent and criterion validity of the PSCD-SV-P was supported by the expected relations with child psychopathy measures (i.e., CPTI), and psychosocial functioning of children (e.g., conduct problems, hyperactivity, and prosocial behavior). DISCUSSION: The current study supports the utility of the parent-rated PSCD-SV in assessing psychopathic traits and CD among Chinese preschool children.