1-097 - Elucidating the Correlates, Course, and Consequences of Early Callous-Unemotional Traits: A Developmental Science Perspective

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Better understanding of the correlates, course, and consequences of psychopathology across childhood can inform meaningful and translatable targets for intervention (Cicchetti, 2014). The proposed symposium of three studies applies a developmental psychopathology perspective toward better understanding the emergence and consequences of callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a constellation of interpersonal and affective deficits (Frick et al., 2014). Individual differences in core characteristics of CU traits emerge around 2-3 years (Eisenberg & Fabes, 1990) and are a consistent predictor of later conduct problems and psychopathy (Frick et al., 2014). Thus, these papers examine the CU traits construct developmentally from preschool into middle school using a variety of novel and complimentary methods. The first paper utilizes three separate meta-analyses to examine the relation between CU and empathy, guilt, and prosociality in childhood, providing crucial insight into the conceptualization and measurement of CU traits. The second paper uses growth curve analysis to examine variation in patterns of CU growth across ages 3, 4 and 5 years and genetic and environmental contributions to this variability. The third paper examines CU traits and peer-rated social behaviors in 5th and 6th graders, a novel approach within the CU literature that has typically relied on teacher or parent reports. The discussant, an expert in developmental psychopathology and CU traits, will discuss how integrating developmental and clinical perspectives can advance our knowledge of what CU traits are, how they vary across development, what CU traits mean for children’s outcomes, and how we can best treat and intervene to reduce CU.

Sub Unit

• Developmental Psychopathology

Chair

• Megan Flom, Boston University

Discussant

• Luke W. Hyde, University of Michigan

Individual Presentations

• A Meta-Analysis of the Associations between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Empathy, Guilt, and Prosociality - Presenting Author: Rebecca Waller, University of Pennsylvania; Non-Presenting Author: Nicholas Wagner, Boston University; Non-Presenting Author: Matthew Barstead, University of Maryland, College Park; Non-Presenting Author: Anni Subar, University of Michigan; Non-Presenting Author: Kelley Kidwell, University of Michigan; Non-Presenting Author: Janet Hyde, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Non-Presenting Author: Luke W. Hyde, University of Michigan

• Callous-Unemotional Behaviors: Growth Curves Across Early Childhood - Presenting Author: Megan Flom, Boston University; Non-Presenting Author: Jody Ganiban, George Washington University; Non-Presenting Author: Kimberly Saudino, Boston University

• Associations between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Peer-Rated Social Behaviors in Elementary and Middle School - Presenting Author: Nicholas Wagner, Boston University; Non-Presenting Author: Kenneth H. Rubin, Department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland