Assessing Callous-Unemotional Traits in Chinese Detained Boys: Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits

Abstract

The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) was designed to evaluate multiple facets of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits in youths. However, no study has examined the factor structure and psychometrical properties of the ICU in Chinese detained juveniles. The current study assesses the factor structure, internal consistency and convergent validity of the ICU in 613 Chinese detained boys. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the original three-factor model with 24 items showed an unacceptable fit to the data, however, the 11-item shortened version of the ICU (ICU-11) with callousness and uncaring dimensions showed the best fit. Moreover, the ICU-11 total score and factor scores had good and acceptable internal consistencies. The convergent and criterion validity of the ICU-11 was demonstrated by comparable and significant associations in the expected direction with relevant external criteria (e.g., psychopathy, aggression, and empathy). In conclusion, present findings indicated that the ICU-11 is a reliable and efficient instrument to replace the original ICU when assessing CU traits in the Chinese male detained juvenile sample.

Assessing the Measurement Invariance of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits in School Students in China and the United Kingdom

“…Consistent with past studies (see [ 18 ] for a review), the three-factor model of the original ICU was a poor fit in the UK sample. The strongest support was found for the two-factor second-order model, consistent with past studies examining the item-factor structure of the ICU [ 28 , 37 , 38 ]. The ICU-11 was the best fitting model, outperforming the ICU-12 on two indices (CFI and TLI values), but with slightly lower RMSEA than the ICU-12.…”

“…East–West comparisons of adult psychopathic traits has provided support for the universality of this construct [ 39 ]; however, research in children appears to suggest cultural variation in the manifestation of CU traits and externalizing problems. Now that the reliability and validity of the ICU-11 has been established in community and detained samples [ 37 , 38 ], future work should extend investigation to understanding East–West cultural variation in the psychological processes underlying CU traits.…”

“…Wang et al [ 18 ] also found that the self-report ICU-11 provided the best fitting model in Chinese university undergraduates. Similarly, Zhang et al [ 38 ] found that the two-factor, self-report version of the ICU-11 formed the best fitting model of the original and five shortened versions in Chinese detained adolescents.…”

“…An East–West comparison of the ICU is currently lacking, despite its status as the most commonly used measure in CU traits research. Given recent evidence for the utility of the ICU in Chinese youth [ 37 , 38 ], a cross-cultural comparison between school children from a Western nation (UK) and China is timely.…”

Callous-Unemotional Traits Among Children and Adolescents in Asian Cultures: A Systematic Review

“…First, ongoing psychometric research into the measurement of CU traits in Asian countries (e.g., investigating indices of reliability and validity in specific populations) stands to facilitate further research in these regions. From our review, the ICU emerged as a key candidate for such research, given that there is preliminary support for its use in a range of ages and formats/versions (Allen et al, 2020; Wang et al, 2019b; Zhang et al, 2019). Where translations are involved, it is important that procedures follow best-practice guidelines (e.g., translation and back-translation method; Banville et al, 2000).…”