The results revealed excellent fit for the MTI two-factor (Detachment-Antisocial) model, and indicated that the psychopathy item parameters of this measure (factor loadings and thresholds) were invariant across time. Collectively, these findings provide strong evidence for the structural validity for the Detachment and Antisocial psychopathy factors during the transition into adulthood. In this regard, the MTI factors showed moderate (Detachment) to strong (Antisocial) stability across time, which provides further support for the continuity of psychopathic features from late adolescence to young adulthood. In addition, at Time 1 (age 17) the positive family functioning factor was significantly negatively correlated with the Detachment factor, and the externalizing factor was positively associated with the Antisocial factor. These results are consistent with previous research (e.g., Frick et al., 2003; Lynam et al., 2007) and provide support for the construct validity of these factors in late adolescence. In addition, the pattern of differential associations of the family and externalizing factors with the MTI psychopathy factors suggest that they may play separate roles in influencing expression of psychopathic features of emotional detachment and overt antisociality.
