Examining Callous‐unemotional Traits and Anxiety in a Sample of Incarcerated Adolescent Females. (12th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deskalo, Avital Y.; Fontaine, Nathalie M. G.
• Is Part Of: Juvenile & family court journal. Volume 72:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2021-04-12
• Subjects: Callous‐unemotional traits -- anxiety -- incarcerated adolescent females; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile courts -- United States -- Periodicals; Domestic relations courts -- United States -- Periodicals; 346.015
• DOI: 10.1111/jfcj.12193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-7109

Abstract

Abstract: Callous‐unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., lack of guilt and empathy) are a risk factor associated with antisocial behavior. Youth with CU traits can be differentiated by varying levels of co‐occurring anxiety. In this study, we examined CU variants in incarcerated adolescent females (n = 109) and their associations with emotional and behavioral problems and history of maltreatment. Semi‐structured interviews were also conducted with a subsample of the participants ( n = 13). Participants with CU traits and anxiety had similar levels of conduct problems compared to individuals with high CU traits without anxiety, but they reported more childhood maltreatment (especially sexual abuse).