Dimensions of Warm Parenting Attributions Differentiate Conduct Problem Subtypes in Young Children

Abstract

Understanding the developmental psychopathology of child conduct problems (CP) has been advanced by differentiating subtypes based on levels of internalizing problems (INT) and/or callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., low empathy/guilt, poor motivation, shallow/deficient affect). The current study sought to elucidate prior inconsistencies in the role of warm/positive and harsh/negative parenting subcomponents in CP by differentiating subtypes on the basis of INT and CU traits. Parents of 135 young children (M age = 4.21 years, SD = 1.29) referred to specialty clinics for the treatment of CP completed pre-treatment measures of parenting and rated their child’s levels of CP, INT, and CU traits. Results of planned comparisons revealed that mothers of children classified as secondary CU variants (high CU/ high INT) reported fewer overall warm attributions toward their child, compared with CP-only (low CU) children. They also reported a more negative dyadic relationship characterized by feelings of anger/hostility, active avoidance and/or a desire to do harm to their child relative to primary CU variants (high CU/ low INT). Mothers of primary CU variants attributed fewer good and altruistic intentions towards others in their child, relative to CP-only children. Subtypes were undifferentiated on observed positive and negative parenting behaviors, indicative of a disconnect between parenting behaviors and cognitions for mothers of children high on CU traits. Findings are discussed in relation to their theoretical and practice implications, and in guiding future research.

The Emotionally Sensitive Child-Adverse Parenting Experiences-Allostatic (Over)Load (ESCAPE-AL) Model for the Development of Secondary Psychopathic Traits

“…This profile involves co-occurring externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and CU traits, occurring in the presence of adverse childhood experiences, and often includes peripheral symptoms of ADHD/impulsivity, PTSD, and/or borderline personality disorder (BPD) (Cecil et al, 2018;Kahn et al, 2013;Kimonis et al, 2012b;Lee et al, 2010;Vaughn et al, 2009). With evidence for the existence of primary and secondary CU variants from early childhood (age 3: Ezpeleta et al, 2017;Fanti & Kimonis, 2017;Kaouar et al, 2023), this model is heavily informed by developmental psychology, developmental psychopathology, child clinical psychology, and health psychology (i.e., focused on the effects of toxic stress on the developing child) literatures. The proposed developmental mechanisms are intended to be distinct from both primary CU variants and conduct problems presenting in the absence of CU traits (hereafter referred to as "CP-only").…”

“…There is robust evidence that secondary CU variants experience extreme levels of adverse childhood experiences and particularly dysfunctional parenting (Craig et al, 2021a). The nature of their adversity is broad, ranging from low maternal warmth/sensitivity (Craig et al, 2021a;Fanti & Kimonis, 2017;Kaouar et al, 2023) and affectionless and rejecting parenting (Karpman, 1941), to parenting that is harsh (Goulter et al, 2017;cf. Bégin et al, 2021;Craig et al, 2021a;Humayun et al, 2014), hostile and verbally aggressive (Craig et al, 2021a), to childhood maltreatment (i.e., sexual or physical abuse or neglect; Bégin et al, 2021;Goulter et al, 2019;Kahn et al, 2013;Kimonis et al, 2011Kimonis et al, , 2012aKimonis et al, , 2017aKimonis et al, , 2017bPorter, 1996), to experiencing interpersonal traumatic events including witnessing intimate partner violence and other violence exposure (Bennett & Kerig, 2014;Docherty et al, 2016;Kahn et al, 2013;Sharf et al, 2014;Tatar et al, 2012), to broader cumulative environmental risk across early childhood (Cecil et al, 2014).…”

“…Similarly, at the University of New South Wales Parent-Child Clinic where we assess and treat many young children with conduct problems and secondary CU traits, parents often describe their child in this way. Parents of these young children with secondary CU traits have more negative cognitions about their relationship with the child that are characterized by low warmth and greater feelings of anger/ hostility, resentment, contempt, active avoidance and/or a desire to do harm to their child, relative to parents of primary CU variants and CP-only children (Kaouar et al, 2023; see also Reijman et al, 2016). This finding demonstrates the need for future research investigating more nuanced parenting factors associated with CU variants to advance understanding of their development and inform tailoring of parenting interventions.…”

Primary and Secondary Variants of Callous-Unemotional Traits in Community Youths: Differences in Anticipatory Fear

“…Similarly, the primary variant of CU is theorized to be characterized by low anxiety and arise from more heritable risk, whereas the secondary variant is characterized by high anxiety and maltreatment experiences [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]. Some initial evidence has even suggested that these two variants can be observed in children as young as three [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Given potential differences in etiologies and responsivities to treatment programs between the two variants [ 11 ], it is important to further understand the distinction between the two variants, as such knowledge may inform psychological assessments and interventions by helping in tailoring the approaches to therapy and support.…”