Psychometric Properties of Dirty Dozen in Male Adults Incarcerated in Penitentiary Facilities

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of Jonason and Webster's Dirty Dozen questionnaire that measures dark personality in a sample of Argentinean man incarcerated in penitentiaries. Our sample consisted of 693 male adults who were imprisoned in three penitentiary units from Argentina. The questionnaire’s best fit was derived from an ESEM model (Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling): CFI=.991, TLI=.984, RMSEA=.043, and SRMR=.021. The model presented measurement invariance based on age. The internal consistency measured from Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory, with .84 for Machiavellianism, .68 for psychopathy and .82 for narcissism. Concurrent and criterion validity of the questionnaire scores was found with age, time in prison, previous conviction, type of crime and bullying perpetration.