Editorial: Treatment of Early Childhood Callous-Unemotional Traits: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go from Here?

Neuman, Keara J; Bagner, Daniel M.

doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2021.05.003

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…A pilot study showed significant reductions in behaviour problems and increases in empathy among 23 children with conduct problems and elevated CU traits [ 48 ]. The fact that reductions in CU traits were observed in an effectiveness trial of another adaptation of PCIT directed at internalizing problems, suggests that the treatment components related to moral behaviour and emotion understanding might be sufficient to reduce CU traits [ 49 ]. Further research on the effect of various treatment components of parenting programs will advance the level of specificity of interventions appropriate for children with CU traits.…”

Section: Possible Early Preventive and Treatment Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Interventions for Preventing the Development of Psychopathic Traits among Children and Adolescents?

Bjørnebekk

Thøgersen

2021

IJERPH

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Individuals with the combination of psychopathy and severe conduct disorder often get in a lot of trouble from their early childhood, and can cause great suffering and problems for other people and their immediate environment. Their antisocial behaviour has a tendency to develop into a chronic pattern early in life, and the treatment prognosis in adulthood is poor. A large proportion of serious violent crimes in society can be attributed to this group of perpetrators. Until recently, it has been unclear whether traits of this type can be prevented or changed, so that these individuals and their surroundings can benefit from targeted treatments at an early stage. To reduce serious crime in a society, it is very important to develop effective measures for this particular group. A lack of empathy, indifference to others, and a lack of concern about their own performance appear to be key early signs in children and adolescents with persistent behavioural problems and more serious norm violations who continue into a criminal career upon reaching adulthood. These characteristics have been termed callous−unemotional (CU) traits, and they are considered to be a precursor to psychopathic traits in adulthood. In recent years, several studies have evaluated the degree to which treatments that have been proved effective for children and adolescents with severe behavioural problems also show effectiveness for children and adolescents with CU traits. Interventions specifically tailored to children with CU traits have also been developed with the aim of directly changing the ongoing development of this precursor to psychopathy. In this paper, we will address the extent to which current evidence-based treatment methods developed for children and adolescents with behavioural difficulties are equally effective when a child has CU traits. We will also take a closer look at the effects of interventions designed to change this trait. There will be a discussion regarding what seems relevant for a change in the trait itself, as well as a change in their antisocial behaviour.

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Section: Possible Early Preventive and Treatment Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Interventions for Preventing the Development of Psychopathic Traits among Children and Adolescents?

Bjørnebekk

Thøgersen

2021

IJERPH

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“…However, this clinical pessimism has been challenged for psychopathy (Polaschek, 2014; Salekin, 2019; Salekin, Worley, & Grimes, 2010) and DBD+CU (Hyde, Waller, & Burt, 2014; Neuman & Bagner, 2021). Many mental health disorders have reliably identifiable heritable or neurobiological correlates, which are rarely taken to imply that psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy is not worth pursuing (Salekin et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment of childhood disruptive behavior disorders and callous‐unemotional traits: a systematic review and two multilevel meta‐analyses

Perlstein

Fair

Hong

et al. 2023

Child Psychology Psychiatry

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Background Children with callous‐unemotional (CU) traits are at high lifetime risk of antisocial behavior. It is unknown if treatments for disruptive behavior disorders are as effective for children with CU traits (DBD+CU) as those without (DBD‐only), nor if treatments directly reduce CU traits. Separate multilevel meta‐analyses were conducted to compare treatment effects on DBD symptoms for DBD+CU versus DBD‐only children and evaluate direct treatment‐related reductions in CU traits, as well as to examine moderating factors for both questions. Methods We systematically searched PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochran Library (Trials), EMBASE, MEDLINE, APA PsycNet, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, and uncontrolled studies evaluating child‐focused, parenting‐focused, pharmacological, family‐focused, or multimodal treatments. Results Sixty studies with 9,405 participants were included (Mage = 10.04, SDage = 3.89 years, 25.09% female, 44.10% racial/ethnic minority). First, treatment was associated with similar reductions in DBD symptoms for DBD+CU (SMD = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.45, 1.72) and DBD‐only (SMD = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.38, 1.64). However, DBD+CU started (SMD = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.57, 1.80) and ended (SMD = 0.73, p < .001; 95% CI = 0.43, 1.04) treatment with more DBD symptoms. Second, although there was no overall direct effect of treatment on CU traits (SMD = .09, 95% CI = −0.02, 0.20), there were moderating factors. Significant treatment‐related reductions in CU traits were found for studies testing parenting‐focused components (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.35), using parent‐reported measures (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.28), rated as higher quality (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.39), conducted outside the United States (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.32), and with less than half the sample from a racial/ethnic minority group (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.002, 0.30). Conclusions DBD+CU children improve with treatment, but their greater DBD symptom severity requires specialized treatment modules that could be implemented alongside parenting programs. Conclusions are tempered by heterogeneity across studies and scant evidence from randomized controlled trials.

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Editorial: Treatment of Early Childhood Callous-Unemotional Traits: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go from Here?

Cited by 2 publications

References 9 publications

Possible Interventions for Preventing the Development of Psychopathic Traits among Children and Adolescents?

Possible Interventions for Preventing the Development of Psychopathic Traits among Children and Adolescents?

Treatment of childhood disruptive behavior disorders and callous‐unemotional traits: a systematic review and two multilevel meta‐analyses

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