A psychometric and validity study of callous-unemotional traits in 2.5\xa0year old children

Nicola Wright,Helen Sharp,Andrew Pickles,Jonathan Hill

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87416-3

Nicola Wright, Helen Sharp + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87416-3

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Abstract

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with severe and stable antisocial behaviour in childhood and adolescence. In order to understand the earliest origins of CU traits we need first to know whether measurement is reliable and valid in young children. This study evaluated the psychometric properties and validity of a CU traits measure generated from existing child problem behaviour scales at age 2.5 years. The participants were members of an epidemiological longitudinal study starting in pregnancy. Items from the Antisocial Process Screening Device and other problem behaviour scales were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modelling was used to test whether age 2.5 CU traits showed incremental validity in predicting aggression at age 5. The CU measure showed acceptable psychometric properties, factorial invariance by sex and good stability. Incremental prediction to later aggression was evident in girls, whereas boys showed strong continuity in aggression not found for girls.

Highlights

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with severe and stable antisocial behaviour in childhood and adolescence
Across sexes, third we used factor analysis to examine discriminant validity of CU traits contrasted with child aggression, and fourth we examined whether CU traits at 2.5 years predicted aggression at 5.0 years accounting for all other pathways as a test of incremental validity
In this study we sought to establish whether CU traits can be measured reliably at 2.5 years, and to assess the validity of measurement at this age as evidenced in an incremental prediction of physical aggression from 2.5 to 5.0 years

Summary

Introduction

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with severe and stable antisocial behaviour in childhood and adolescence. Problems of oppositionality and aggression appearing in early childhood confer a substantially increased risk of later antisocial behaviour disorders and a wide range of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and substance misuse[1]. These early onset ‘life course persistent’ conduct problems share poor long term outcomes and it is likely that there is heterogeneity of risk factors and underlying p rocesses[2]. Identifying the earliest age at which CU traits can be reliably measured has important implications for research examining the developmental pathways to and from CU traits and for the development of potential preventative intervention before severe antisocial behaviour develops. Across sexes, third we used factor analysis to examine discriminant validity of CU traits contrasted with child aggression, and fourth we examined whether CU traits at 2.5 years predicted aggression at 5.0 years accounting for all other pathways as a test of incremental validity

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