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Strengths and Limitations of the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) in Juvenile Delinquency Assessments

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  • Robert A. Semel

Abstract

This article highlights and discusses the usefulness of the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) in juvenile delinquency assessments. Psychiatric disorders have high prevalence rates among youths in the juvenile justice system. The PIY was developed to evaluate a broad range of behavioral and psychological characteristics, which may make it useful in juvenile delinquency assessment contexts. Practical and psychometric strengths and limitations of the PIY in the juvenile delinquency assessment context are presented, with reference to relevant research literature. The effectiveness of this instrument in detecting response bias, particularly under-reporting, and for identifying problems associated with delinquency is discussed. The issue of item overlap and spurious influences on scale correlations, especially between the PIY Defensiveness and Delinquency scales, is also addressed. A comparison of findings with the PIY and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–Adolescent (MMPI-A) in juvenile justice samples helps to identify broader considerations about how youths in juvenile justice settings respond to self-report psychological inventories. Finally, the author offers some practical considerations for evaluators when using the PIY in juvenile delinquency assessments, and suggestions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert A. Semel, 2014. "Strengths and Limitations of the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) in Juvenile Delinquency Assessments," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(4), pages 21582440145, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:4:y:2014:i:4:p:2158244014559014
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244014559014
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