The Importance of Environmental Influences for Youth with Juvenile Psychopathy

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Youth who exhibit psychopathic traits often exhibit more severe and persistent violent and antisocial behavior. Although much of the research has focused on the possible genetic etiologies for these traits, as well as their stability over time and reduced susceptibility to environmental factors, recent work has begun to highlight the importance of understanding how characteristics of the environment can influence youth with psychopathic traits, including callous-unemotional traits. The studies in this panel investigate this issue with samples of adolescent and young adult offenders. Papers in this panel examine the following: how involuntary encounters with law enforcement positively influence youth with psychopathic traits’ perceptions of procedural justice; how interpersonal victimization moderates the association between callous-unemotional traits and recidivism; how environmental factors, particularly delinquent peer association, are related to trajectories of callous-unemotional traits; and how callous-unemotional traits partially mediate the association between exposure to violence and aggressive offending behavior. All papers will consider the implications of this work for managing or reducing youth violence and delinquency.

Sub Unit

• Area IX: Juvenile Crime and the Justice System / 57: Delinquency

Individual Presentations

• Psychopathy and Perceptions of Procedural Justice - James Ray, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Megan Bears Augustyn, University of Texas at San Antonio

• Callous-Unemotional Traits, Interpersonal Victimization, and Recidivism among Justice-Involved Youth - Patricia K. Kerig, University of Utah; Shannon Chaplo, University of Utah; Crosby Modrowski, University of Utah

• The Effect of Juvenile Justice-Related Factors on Trajectories of Callous-Unemotional Traits - Paul J. Frick, Louisiana State University; James Ray, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Laura Thornton, Boys Town National Research Hospital; Tina Wall, University of New Orleans; Laurence Steinberg, Temple University; Elizabeth Cauffman, University of California, Irvine

• Callous-Unemotional Traits Mediate the Association Between Violence Exposure and Aggressive Offending - Meagan Docherty, Rutgers University; Paul Boxer, Rutgers University

Chair

• Meagan Docherty, Rutgers University