Criterion Validity for the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits among Adjudicated and Non-adjudicated Youth

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Youth with callous-unemotional (CU) traits, or a lack of concern, guilt, empathy, and affect, commit more crimes as juveniles and are more antisocial in adulthood (Frick, Ray, Thornton, & Kahn, 2013; McMahon et al., 2010). One increasingly popular measure of CU traits is the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU; Frick, 2004). However, the ICU has not been subjected to criterion validation, and research on the ICU has not produced a clear cutoff score to denote “clinical” or otherwise problematic levels of those traits.
We analyzed ICU data from high school students (n = 343) and youth in a juvenile detention facility (n = 291), as well as to their parents/guardians and teachers/staff members. Participants were ages 10 to 20 (41% female; 42% non-white). ICU scores significantly predicted violent and aggressive behavior, consistent with prior work. To establish criterion validity in terms of adjudication status, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Optimal cut-scores (as judged by sensitivity and specificity) for the ICU correctly classified 63%-74% of youth as adjudicated or not. Results will be discussed in terms of implications for juvenile justice practices and policies.

Authors

• Meagan Docherty, Rutgers University

• Paul Boxer, Rutgers University

• Rowell Huesmann, University of Michigan

• Maureen O'Brien, University of Michigan

• Brad Bushman, Ohio State University