Maternal and Paternal Parenting and Maltreatment in Relation to Callous-Unemotional Traits in Detained Male Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between parenting practices, childhood maltreatment (CM), callous-unemotional (CU) traits, and conduct disorder (CD) symptoms among 275 detained adolescent boys (Mage = 16.96). CU traits, and paternal and maternal parenting were assessed via self-report questionnaires. A diagnostic interview was used to assess CD symptoms. Regression analyses revealed that harsh parenting and physical maltreatment were positively associated with CU traits after controlling for CD symptoms, whereas warm parenting was significantly negatively related to CU traits. After controlling for the overlap between parenting and CM, only parenting was significantly positively related to CU traits. Findings, finally, showed that CU traits did not moderate the link between parenting (or CM) and CD symptoms. The study underscores that it is important to consider experiences with parenting practices and CM in detained adolescents with heightened CU traits.