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There is debate regarding the utility of standardized instruments in the assessment of competence to stand trial (CST). Though the field generally has a positive view of the second-generation nomothetic instruments available, the frequency of use falls far behind this favorable impression. The current paper reviewed two standardized instruments used in CST evaluations, the Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial – Revised (ECST-R) and the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA). We first review the psychometric properties of both instruments, including a review of limitations. Next, we discuss the legal standing of both instruments, including a review of past admissibility challenges and a discussion of potential issues in cross-examination. Finally, we end with practical guidance for clinicians; namely, that these instruments are generally valid indicators of competence to stand trial and are likely to be particularly useful in cases where competence is ambiguous and the clinician would benefit from additional standardized data to make a clear clinical decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the differentiation of borderline (BPD) and antisocial personality disorders (ASPD) in forensic settings, with particular emphasis on the utility of the MMPI-2-RF in differential diagnosis. This study examined these constructs across correctional and forensic psychiatric samples from the U.S. and the Netherlands using varying assessment/diagnosis modalities, including self-report, structured interview, and clinician-derived personality disorder (PD) diagnosis from both DSM-5 Section II and Section III perspectives. Our findings showed that internalizing psychopathology – and to a lesser extent interpersonal and thought dysfunction – differentiated BPD from ASPD; however, inconsistencies existed across samples. Higher levels of externalizing psychopathology were not found to differentiate ASPD across any of the samples or PD conceptualizations used in the current study. This suggests that diagnostic clarity may be particularly difficult in forensic settings and supports previous work that has shown problematic diagnostic overlap and a lack of differentiation between PD constructs. Nonetheless, as our current diagnostic system continues to rely on categorical determination of PDs, the current study suggests the MMPI-2-RF may enhance diagnostic differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the reliability and validity of the Comprehensive Assessment of Traits Relevant to Personality Disorder–Static Form (CAT-PD-SF), a dimensional measure of personality psychopathology. Specifically, we used exploratory factor analysis to determine the best higher order structure for the CAT-PD-SF traits. Results suggested a five-factor structure, albeit with marginal model fit. Second, we used correlation analyses to compare the CAT-PD-SF with two additional dimensional measures of personality, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 –Brief Form and the Five-Factor Model Rating Form. The results demonstrated the CAT-PD-SF scale scores were associated with domain and facet scores from these two models in a conceptually expected manner. Finally, we explored the association between the CAT-PD-SF scores and functional impairment and found moderate associations between CAT-PD-SF trait and functional impairment scores (as measured by the Measure of Disordered Personality Functioning Scale). Overall, findings add support to the structure of the CAT-PD model, and the use of the CAT-PD-SF in measuring dimensional personality psychopathology and impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study examined the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF) in assessing ICD‐11 personality psychopathology trait domain qualifiers. Method: Using a community sample (N = 217) weighted for externalizing dysfunction, this study evaluated the convergence between ICD‐11 trait domains as measured by the personality inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5) with hypothesized MMPI‐2‐RF scales. Particular emphasis was placed on evaluating the convergence between the ICD‐11 trait domain qualifiers and the MMPI‐2‐RF personality psychopathology‐5 (PSY‐5) scales, as the latter are meant to represent broadband domains of personality pathology. Results: Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated expected associations between ICD‐11 domains and conceptually expected MMPI‐2‐RF scales, with some minor exceptions. Notably, the Anankastia domain showed associations with scales assessing negative affect, but did not show expected negative associations with scales related to disinhibition. Conclusions: The findings generally supported the use of the MMPI‐2‐RF in assessing individual expressions of personality dysfunction from the ICD‐11 trait domain qualifier perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early-life exposure to childhood maltreatment, whether physically-, emotionally-, and/or sexually-based has been linked consistently to psychological distress throughout the lifespan, including the development of personality disorders (PDs). Individuals with PD diagnoses are at an increased risk for criminal behavior, and borderline and antisocial PDs are particularly common in forensic settings. However, little research has assessed associations among all three variables: childhood maltreatment, personality psychopathology, and adult criminal behavior. The current study sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the associations among childhood maltreatment, maladaptive personality domains, and adult criminal behavior broadly, as well as examining the mediation pathway from childhood maltreatment to maladaptive personality to adult criminal behavior. Data collection for the current study occurred at a county jail in the Southern United States (n = 180), where participants were administered self-report measures of demographics, adult arrest history, maladaptive personality, and childhood trauma. Pearson correlation and path analyses were used to examine the data, and support was found for both broad associations of childhood maltreatment with maladaptive personality domains and adult criminal behavior, and a relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult criminal behavior, which was mediated by maladaptive personality. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual aggression, harassment, and sexually aggressive cognitions (victim blaming, sexual entitlement) are serious societal problems. Although research has examined attributes of individuals who engage in overt sexual assault, few studies have focused on individual characteristics of those who perpetuate problematic negative beliefs surrounding sexual assault. This study sought to examine the relationship between pathological personality and sexually aggressive cognitions among 242 community men. Results showed that traits including antagonism, disinhibition, and negative affectivity were associated with sexually aggressive cognitions. These results have implications for understanding sexual aggression and the role personality plays in perpetuating sexually aggressive attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender disparity exists in leadership roles within healthcare. While the majority of the healthcare workforce is comprised of women, significantly fewer women occupy leadership positions, particularly at executive and board levels. As the field of oncology pharmacy continues to rapidly expand and evolve, an assessment of the current state of women in oncology pharmacy leadership roles is vital to the growth and development of the profession. In the fall of 2017, the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) hosted a summit to explore leadership issues facing women in oncology pharmacy which have the potential to affect our membership and our profession. This meeting included invited participants from across the fields of oncology and pharmacy and was part of HOPA's strategic leadership initiative developed through the work of the HOPA Leadership Development Committee in 2016. This promotes a primary goal of HOPA, which is to support oncology pharmacists as they assume leadership roles within their practices and within healthcare to assure oncology pharmacy is integrated into cancer care. The purpose of this white paper is to (1) summarize key issues that were identified through a membership survey; (2) review ongoing efforts to address the needs of female oncology pharmacists in leadership development; (3) serve as a call to action for individuals and professional organizations to assist with and disseminate these efforts and highlight available resources, and (4) to provide practical steps to meet the needs of individuals, training programs, and institutions/employers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the ability of the Computerized Adaptive Test of Personality Disorder (CAT–PD) model to capture psychopathy in a sample consisting of U.S. (n = 565) and Australian (n = 99) undergraduates and a U.S. community sample (n = 210). More specifically, this study examined (a) the association between CAT–PD facets, particularly those consistent with DSM–5 Section III antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and measures of psychopathy, (b) the extent to which CAT–PD ASPD traits improve on DSM–5 Section II ASPD in measuring psychopathy, and (c) the utility of measuring functional impairment in additional to dimensional traits in assessing psychopathy. Analyses revealed CAT–PD ASPD traits, including traits' associations with Section III psychopathy specifier, were strongly associated with measures of psychopathy. Furthermore, CAT–PD ASPD was found to be an improvement over DSM–5 Section II ASPD in measuring psychopathy, and the dimensional nature of the CAT–PD was found to render the addition of measures of impairment unnecessary. These findings generally support the utility of the CAT–PD in the measurement of psychopathy, particularly as it relates to the dimensional assessment of psychopathy in the DSM–5 alternative model for personality disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inpatient competence restoration treatment comes with enormous costs in terms of civil liberties, but also significant financial costs to the state/institution responsible for providing the treatment. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the utility of a commonly used competence assessment instrument, the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool - Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA), in identifying individuals who may require more tailored, lengthier, and/or more intensive treatment. The sample included 93 men and women who were administered the MacCAT-CA during an inpatient hospitalization for competence restoration treatment in the United States. All of the patients were restored to competence within the study period, ranging from 3 to 32 months of inpatient hospitalization. Results suggest that performance on the MacCAT-CA was associated with hospitalization length, with total scores as the greatest predictor of response to treatment. Sensitivity and specificity estimates are discussed in terms of their utility in identifying patients most at-risk for extended hospitalization, with the authors arguing that instruments like the MacCAT-CA can be used in a practical manner of identifying patients who might require greater or more intensive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]