Research supports interventions for high-risk juvenile offenders to reduce recidivism. Methods for assessing delinquent risk vary, however. Aggregate risk scores (i.e. number of risk factors) and specific risk profiles (i.e. types of risk factors) are both empirically supported techniques. This study compared aggregate scores versus profiles for predicting measures of criminal severity among detained adolescents (n=292). Twenty-four risk factors from the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) were summed to calculate aggregate scores. Using latent class analysis (LCA), profiles were identified based on scores from the following theoretically important SAVRY risk factors: Risk Taking/Impulsivity, Anger Management Problems, Low Empathy/Remorse (CU traits), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Difficulties. LCA identified one low-risk profile, plus two high-risk profiles differentiated by levels of CU traits. Aggregate scores significantly predicted four out of six criminal severity indicators, while profiles failed to predict any measures. Results support aggregate scores over profiles for assessing delinquent severity.

The current study examined whether a sample of detained male adolescents (n = 107; Mean age = 15.50; SD = 1.30) could be disaggregated into two distinct groups, consistent with past research on primary and secondary variants of callous-unemotional (CU) traits in adolescents. This study also sought to determine a possible explanation for the CU traits among youth in the secondary variant by examining whether they differ from primary variants on measures of cognitive and affective empathy. Using Latent Profile Analyses, two groups of adolescents high on CU traits were identified, a large group (n = 30) high on CU traits but low on anxiety (primary) and a smaller group high on both CU traits and anxiety (n = 10; secondary). Using self-report and computerized measures of affective (e.g., emotional reactivity) and cognitive empathy (e.g., affective facial recognition and theory of mind (ToM)), results revealed that the secondary variant demonstrated the lowest levels of cognitive empathy. In contrast, the primary variant demonstrated the lowest levels of self-report affective empathy, but these levels were not significantly different from the secondary variant. Multiple regression analyses testing the association among measures of empathy, CU traits, and anxiety produced a mostly consistent pattern of results. One exception was the finding of an interaction between CU traits and anxiety in the prediction of fear recognition accuracy that indicated that CU traits were positively associated with accuracy in recognizing fearful facial expressions when anxiety was low. The current study builds upon previous work examining primary and secondary variants of CU traits by suggesting that both primary and secondary variants may exhibit similar deficits in affective empathy, but that secondary variants may also exhibit deficits in cognitive empathy and perspective-taking that are not present in primary variants.

The current study investigated the predictive utility of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and emotional facilitation to distress (EFD) for multiple antisocial outcomes in a sample of juvenile justice-involved males. Although CU traits and EFD did not generally interact to predict antisocial outcomes, CU traits were a consistent predictor of total, proactive, and reactive forms of aggression over 18 months. Similarly, CU traits and time interacted to predict total and violent self-reported offending, such that CU traits were positively associated with both outcomes, but this association weakened over the 18 month timeframe. Racial and ethnic differences only emerged for the prediction of days to any arrest or a violent arrest. Specifically, different factors appear to be important of the prediction of any arrest across racial/ethnic groups, whereas being Black was associated with fewer days to arrest, despite self-reporting similar levels of violent offending. Last, a joint trajectory model for CU traits and EFD was not estimated due to a lack of stability in EFD. However, the majority of the sample exhibited average or increasing levels of CU traits over the 18 month timeframe, highlighting the importance of examining not only the factors that can result in CU traits, but also the factors that can lead to increases in CU traits over time in justice-involved youth.

The current study tested the association of both positive and negative aspects of parenting with callous-unemotional (CU) traits and conduct problems. Caregivers of 92 kindergarteners were recruited to complete a series of survey measures. Overall, parent-report of negative parenting practices was not associated with teacher report of conduct problems. However, parent report of positive parenting practices (i.e., warmth, positive reinforcement, positive communication and cooperation) was negatively associated with conduct problems and CU traits. Interactions between positive parenting variables and CU traits in their association with conduct problems indicated that positive reinforcement related more strongly to lower levels of conduct problem behavior for youth with high levels of CU traits. However, positive communication and cooperation related more strongly to conduct problems for youth with lower levels of CU traits. These associations suggest that parenting may play a role in the development of CU traits and conduct problems.

This study sought to explore whether PTSD symptoms in detained adolescents were differentially related to high and low patterns of emotional reactivity, as determined based on callous-unemotional (CU) traits and emotion dysregulation. Analyses revealed four distinct groups based on these criteria: a low/no trauma control group with few PTSD symptoms, and three groups whose PTSD symptoms were distinguished by symptoms of emotional numbing. The study sought to determine whether these profiles were related to distinct patterns of aggression and delinquency. Results revealed that the low/no PTSD symptom group exhibited the least aggression and delinquency. Further, results indicated that higher CU traits and violent offending are associated with a combined PTSD symptom profile. Results suggest a relationship between PTSD symptoms, delinquency, aggression, and CU traits. Findings provide support for the existence of a secondary variant of CU youth who are more emotionally dysregulated and prone to both arousal and emotional detachment.

Callous – unemotional (CU) traits are a key factor in understanding the persistence and severity of conduct problems. The factor structure of CU traits has been primarily examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in childhood and adolescent samples, yet little research has examined the structure of CU traits in preschool. Further, current CFA models have yielded poor – to – marginally acceptable fit, suggesting the need for a more nuanced approach in understanding the structure of CU traits in early childhood using an interitem approach (i.e., network analysis). Within a sample of 109 preschool children (M age = 4.77, SD = 1.10), CFA results supported a two – factor structure of the ICU, comprised of “callous” and “uncaring” factors. Results of the network analysis identified seems cold and uncaring as most central to the CU network. Results from the CFA demonstrated that CU traits can be assessed in preschool children using 12 of the original 24 items from the ICU, which is consistent with a small portion of research. Further, results of the network analysis suggested that seems cold and uncaring may be useful in screening for psychopathic traits in preschool children. Clinical implications, including ICU measure refinement, are explored.

<p>Forskning har visat att barn som uppvisar ett normbrytande beteende i kombination med brister i empati och förståelse för ömsesidighet med andra har svårare för att bedöma rädda ansikten än andra barn med normbrytande beteenden. I en studie kopplades detta till att de inte läser av ögonen utan fokuserar mer på munnen. Föreliggande studies huvudsyfte var dels att validera ett instrument för mätning av barns ögonrörelser och relatera ögonrörelser till tolkning av känslor i ansiktsuttryck, dels att undersöka om barns empati generellt kan kopplas till skillnader i ögonrörelsemönster vid bedömning av ansiktsuttryck. En normalpopulation på 39 barn i 10-11 årsåldern bedömde ansiktsuttryck (glad, neutral, ledsen, arg och rädd). Föräldraskattningar av kognitiv och affektiv empati relaterades till deras förmåga att identifiera ansikten korrekt. Resultaten indikerar att rädda ansiktsuttryck generellt var svårare än de andra att bedöma. Det fanns också en negativ korrelation mellan affektiv empati och förmågan att bedöma rädda ansikten och ansikten i allmänhet. Resultaten diskuteras utifrån tidigare forskning och klinisk betydelse.</p>

Forskning har visat att barn som uppvisar ett normbrytande beteende i kombination med brister i empati och förståelse för ömsesidighet med andra har svårare för att bedöma rädda ansikten än andra barn med normbrytande beteenden. I en studie kopplades detta till att de inte läser av ögonen utan fokuserar mer på munnen. Föreliggande studies huvudsyfte var dels att validera ett instrument för mätning av barns ögonrörelser och relatera ögonrörelser till tolkning av känslor i ansiktsuttryck, dels att undersöka om barns empati generellt kan kopplas till skillnader i ögonrörelsemönster vid bedömning av ansiktsuttryck. En normalpopulation på 39 barn i 10-11 årsåldern bedömde ansiktsuttryck (glad, neutral, ledsen, arg och rädd). Föräldraskattningar av kognitiv och affektiv empati relaterades till deras förmåga att identifiera ansikten korrekt. Resultaten indikerar att rädda ansiktsuttryck generellt var svårare än de andra att bedöma. Det fanns också en negativ korrelation mellan affektiv empati och förmågan att bedöma rädda ansikten och ansikten i allmänhet. Resultaten diskuteras utifrån tidigare forskning och klinisk betydelse.

Individual differences, particularly callous and unemotional (C&U) traits, and parenting practices are some of the strongest predictors of externalizing behavior in adolescents. However, findings on the associations between C&U traits, parenting, and externalizing behaviors have been mixed, with studies often utilizing single scores to represent these multidimensional constructs. The current study used a developmental-contextual framework to examine how dimensions of C&U traits predict aggressive and non-aggressive rule-breaking behaviors through positive and negative parenting practices. The study used archival data from 174 pairs of adolescent males, ages 11-16 years old, and their mothers. Results showed that C&U traits influenced externalizing behaviors through parenting practices. Findings also showed specificities among these relationships. Particularly, the associations between Uncaring and aggressive, as well as non-aggressive rule-breaking, behaviors was mediated by negative parenting, whereas the association between Unemotional and rule-breaking behaviors was mediated by positive parenting practices. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with severe and aggressive youth antisocial behavior (ASB) and are under consideration as a potential specifier for the diagnosis of Conduct Disorder in DSM-5 (Frick & Moffitt, 2010). This proposal demands more inquiry into the impact that CU traits have on behavioral subtypes of youth ASB. Normal-range personality traits, trait levels of anxiety, and hormonal stress reactivity (i.e., changes in the stress hormone, cortisol) are all factors that have been studied extensively in relation to ASB, but these relationships have not yet been considered in combination with CU traits. The purpose of the current set of studies was to examine the extent to which CU traits moderated links between these three factors and both overall and behavioral subtypes of ASB. In the first study, data were collected on children’s personality, CU traits, and three behavioral categories of ASB (physical aggression, relational aggression and non-violent rule-breaking behavior) for community (N = 742) and clinical (N = 183) samples of children. In the community sample, CU traits moderated links between Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience and ASB overall and externalizing behaviors, between Neuroticism, Extraversion and physical aggression and between Agreeableness, Extraversion and rule-breaking behaviors. In the clinical sample, CU traits moderated the link between Agreeableness and externalizing behaviors. In the second study, data were collected on children’s trait anxiety, CU traits, and the same three behavioral categories of ASB in a follow-up adolescent community sample (N = 145). Reactivity of cortisol in response to an unanticipated social stress test was also measured. Results revealed that CU traits moderated links between trait anxiety and ASB overall, externalizing behaviors and physical aggression. In females only, CU traits also moderated links between cortisol reactivity and ASB overall and externalizing behaviors. Combined, the results of these studies support the proposal that CU traits are a clinically useful diagnostic specifier with different implications for behavioral subtypes of ASB. Further, the present findings allow recommendations to be made for future research to further our understanding of the role CU traits play in CD, and to develop targeted interventions.