چكيده لاتين
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy in predicting externalizing disorders and to develop an educational intervention based on this model. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this intervention was compared with a mentalization-based treatment in addressing antisocial behaviors, callous-unemotional traits, psychopathy, and externalizing disorders among adolescents. Methodologically, this research is applied in purpose and quantitative in nature, conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a descriptive-correlational design was employed. The statistical population consisted of lower secondary school students in Arak, Iran, among whom 341 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data analysis was conducted using statistical techniques including regression analysis. Based on the regression coefficients obtained from the model, an educational package was developed by the researcher. For instance, due to the regression coefficient of 0.43 between the "disinhibition" component and externalizing disorders, five sessions were dedicated to this component. Similarly, six sessions were allocated to the "meanness" component based on a coefficient of 0.52. The "boldness" component, having shown no significant correlation with the disorders, was excluded from the intervention program. In the second phase, a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages along with a control group was implemented. Forty-eight students with high scores in delinquency and aggression were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned into three groups: two experimental groups and one control group, each comprising 16 participants. The first experimental group received 12 sessions (60 minutes each) of training based on the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy. The second group received 12 sessions of mentalization-based intervention grounded in the model of Bateman and Fonagy (2016). The control group received no intervention. The research instruments included: Achenbach and Rescorla’s (2000) Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Patrick’s (2010) Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM), Frick’s (2003) Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), Lynam’s (1997) Childhood Psychopathy Scale (CPS), Frick and Hare’s (2001) Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD). Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and repeated measures ANOVA, conducted in SPSS version 26. The results indicated that the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy and its components significantly predicted externalizing behavioral disorders. Specifically, the "disinhibition" and "meanness" components were the strongest predictors of delinquent behavior, aggression, and overall behavioral problems. The "boldness" component, however, did not show a significant relationship with the target variables.
Findings from the intervention phase demonstrated that both the psychopathy-based and the mentalization-based training programs had significant effects on reducing callous-unemotional traits, antisocial behaviors, psychopathy, and externalizing disorders in adolescents. Moreover, post-hoc comparisons revealed that the intervention based on the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy was significantly effective across all variables.
In conclusion, the psychopathy model-based educational program appears to be an effective intervention for Iranian adolescents with externalizing behavior problems. Given that adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by increased psychological and behavioral challenges, implementation of such targeted interventions may significantly contribute to the improvement of adolescents’ mental health and behavioral adjustment.
