Core features of callous–unemotional traits: Network analysis of the inventory of callous–unemotional traits in offender and community samples. Issue 6 (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deng, Jiaxin; Wang, Meng‐Cheng; Shou, Yiyun; Gao, Yu
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 77:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1487
• Page End: 1498
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: callousness -- callous–unemotional traits -- limited prosocial emotion -- network analysis -- The Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Callous‐unemotional (CU) traits have been added as a specifier labeled with "Limited Prosocial Emotion" used to diagnose conduct disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . However, little is known about the core features of CU traits. Thus, this study aimed to identify the most central component of CU traits from a network perspective. Method: Network analysis was applied to investigate the network structure of CU traits operationalized by the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits in a sample of juvenile offenders ( M age = 17.14, N = 609) and community youths ( M age = 10.82, N = 487). Results: Our findings showed that items assessing callousness are the most central in the network across both samples. Also, the unemotional items were found to be located at a peripheral position, with fewer links apparent to callousness and uncaring items. Conclusions: Callousness might be the key feature of CU traits in youths. Our findings further advance the general understanding about the core features of CU traits in clinical practice.