Competency to Stand Trial: A Systematic Evaluation and Validation of the GCCT, MacCAT-CA, and ECST as Competency Measures

Competency to stand trial cases constitute the largest percentage of forensic referrals for clinical psychologists. Furthermore, research suggests that the use of forensic measures facilitates the decisions of competency made by forensic examiners. This study investigated the construct validity of three competency measures: (a) the GCCT-MSH, (b) the MacCAT-CA, and (c) the ECST with 100 adult males incarcerated at the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, TX. Construct validity was investigated via the use of a multitrait-multimethod research design for the three-prong conceptualization of the Dusky standard. Results indicated that current competency measures do an adequate job of assessing for factual understanding, but lack construct validity for two prongs: rational understanding and the ability to consult with counsel. In addition, the atypical presentation scales of the both GCCT and the ECST performed well at screening individuals for feigning. Finally, prediction of competency from clinical variables was also investigated. Psychotic symptoms and overall impairment were the strongest predictors of incompetency.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2002

Author dc:creator

• Grandjean, Nicole Rae

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rogers, Richard, 1950-
• Sewell, Kenneth W.
• Guarnaccia, Charles A.

• Competency to stand trial.
• Forensic psychology.
• understanding
• competency to stand trial
• feigning
• forensic assessment
• construct validity

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Grandjean, Nicole Rae
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 51826338
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3145/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3145

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3145