Open AccessConsistency and Construct Validity of the Five-Level System for Risk Communication Using Static and Dynamic Tools: An Investigation Using the Static-99R and VRS-SO
Author(s) -
Neil R. Hogan,
Mark E. Olver
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
assessment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.59
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1552-3489
pISSN - 1073-1911
DOI - 10.1177/10731911211061300
Subject(s) - categorical variable , concordance , consistency (knowledge bases) , psychology , construct (python library) , sample (material) , risk assessment , scale (ratio) , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , social psychology , clinical psychology , applied psychology , computer science , medicine , computer security , medical emergency , artificial intelligence , machine learning , chemistry , physics , chromatography , quantum mechanics , programming language
This study examined the Council of State Governments’ five-level system for risk communication, as applied to the Static-99R and Violence Risk Scale–Sexual Offense Version (VRS-SO). Aims of the system include increasing consistency in risk communication and linking risk categories to psychologically meaningful constructs. We investigated concordance between risk levels assigned by the instruments, and distributions of VRS-SO dynamic needs associated with Static-99R risk levels, among a multisite sample ( n = 1,404) of persons who have sexually offended. Concordant categorical risk ratings were assigned in just over a third of cases, suggesting that consistency remains a concern with the system, particularly when conceptually disparate tools are applied. Densities of criminogenic needs varied widely among persons assigned the same risk level by the Static-99R and diverged from the descriptions ascribed by the system. These findings can inform clinical assessments and further refinement of the system.