Examining the potential link between child maltreatment and callous-unemotional traits in children and adolescents: A multilevel analysis

The Symptomatology and Psychosocial Risk Factors in Developing Callous-Unemotional Trait During Childhood and Adolescence

“…Another critical characteristic consistently seen in adolescents with CU traits is the fearless temperament or insensitivity to punishment cues. It may appear intuitive as it is reasonable to assume that someone who grew up in an abusive environment developed low fearfulness as a potential defensive mechanism [1]. Nevertheless, the study also revealed a strong genetic predisposition for preschoolers' temperamental fearfulness [4].…”

“…Moreover, the result provides informative evidence that childhood maltreatment may predict future CU traits more accurately in males than females. It also appears that the perpetrator's identity does not inflict different results in predicting CU traits [1]. Joyner and Beaver also found inconsistent results on the involvement of genetic factors in mediating the effect between the two variables [1].…”

“…Few empirical and theoretical studies examined the potential association between childhood maltreatment and CU traits. Only recently, Joyner and Beaver added robust empirical evidence for the direct association of childhood maltreatment and the scores on the callous-unemotional traits scale [1]. Specifically, individuals who reported having experienced childhood maltreatment received higher scores on the callous-unemotional trait scale.…”

“…Callous-unemotional (CU) traits have frequently been linked to multiple psychopathologies, including emotional problems (such as anxiety and depression), antisocial personality disorder (APD), and conduct disorder. Evidence has revealed the CU traits observed during childhood to be the precursors for psychopathic traits in adulthood [1]. Indeed, the mental health problem is never an individual battle; it also holds a broader effect on global societies.…”

Examining the Potential Influence of Violence Exposure on the Link Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Delinquent and Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents

“…The majority of studies that examine the causes and consequences of callous-unemotional traits use either the Antisocial Process Screening Device (Frick & Hare, 2001) or the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU; Frick, 2004). With that in mind, the measure developed from the CBCL has been used in other peer-reviewed research (e.g., Joyner & Beaver, 2021) and the items used to construct the CBCL callous-unemotional traits scale correspond to the subscales of the ICU (i.e., callousness, an uncaring nature, and unemotionality). Future studies should replicate these analyses using other, longer assessments of callous-unemotional traits.…”