Callous–Unemotional Traits Influence the Severity of Peer Problems in Children with Impulsive/Overactive and Oppositional/Defiant Behaviors

Abstract

This study tested whether inattentive-impulsive-overactive (I/O) and oppositional-defiant (O/D) behaviors were associated with peer problems and whether these associations were moderated by callous-unemotional (CU) traits in clinically referred children with disruptive behaviors. Parents of 135 children aged 6-12 years (M = 9.09, SD = 1.62) completed measures to assess their child's I/O, O/D, and CU behaviors, and peer functioning problems. Findings showed that I/O and O/D behaviors were associated with greater peer problems, and CU traits significantly moderated the I/O behaviors and peer problems association. Children with relatively more CU traits and I/O behaviors showed greater peer problems. However, those with more CU traits and fewer I/O behaviors showed less peer problems. I/O behaviors and CU traits have an important influence on peer functioning that varies according to the severities of each.

Longitudinal association between callous‐unemotional traits and friendship quality among adjudicated adolescents

“…At the same time, at least for the first two assessment waves, higher levels of CU traits also predicted significant decreases in friendship quality over time. Thus, while supportive friendships could help to foster empathic and prosocial skills, such positive friendship qualities could be predicated on children being able to form and maintain friendships in the first place; a feat that may be challenging for children with CU traits who often experience heightened levels of peer rejection (Andrade et al, 2015;Waller et al, 2017), report more conflict in their relationships (Muñoz et al, 2008), and fall prey to more physical and verbal victimization (Fontaine et al, 2018).…”

“…In studies conducted among children that have isolated the relation of CU traits and friendship quality by controlling for attention-deficit behaviors or conduct problems, CU traits have been linked to peer rejection and dislike (Piatigorsky & Hinshaw, 2004) and greater experience of physical and verbal peer victimization (Fontaine, Hanscombe, Berg, McCrory, & Viding, 2018). Moreover, CU traits have been linked to more peer rejection particularly when children had co-occurring conduct problems and poor impulse control (Andrade, Sorge, Djordjevic, & Naber, 2015;Waller, Hyde, Baskin-Sommers, & Olson, 2017). These studies suggest that CU traits make it harder for children and adolescents to develop quality friendships in the first place because these youth find themselves quickly rejected by peers.…”

An examination of the relations between effortful control in early childhood and risk for later externalizing psychopathology: A bi-factor structural equation modeling approach

“…CU traits may be reliably measured as young as three years old (Waller & Hyde, 2017), making the identification of temperamental risk for CU traits an important endeavor in service of early identification and intervention. Importantly, CU traits are often comorbid with, but remain distinct from, elevated ADD and CP, suggesting that different factors may influence transdiagnostic risk for CU traits versus other externalizing disorders (Andrade et al, 2015;Frick et al, 2014;Salekin et al, 2018;Willoughby et al, 2011).…”

Examining the Role of Callous-Unemotional Traits in the Attributional Styles and Self Competence Evaluations of Children with Conduct Problems and ADHD

“…In addition to behavioral severity, there is growing evidence that children with CP/CU exhibit significantly impaired social functioning, including poor social skills and high rates of peer rejection, and it appears as though children with CP/ CU are aware of their impaired social functioning (Andrade et al 2014;Frick and Dantagnan 2005). One study reported that a greater number of friendships with delinquent peers decreased the severity of CP for children with elevated CU traits across a 4-year period of time (Frick and Dantagnan 2005).…”