Peer Victimization Among Detained Youth: The Impact of Callous-Unemotional Traits

Abstract

There are limited studies examining associations between callous-unemotional (CU) traits and peer victimization, with some research suggesting a positive association between these two constructs and other studies indicating no association. However, no research to date has examined these associations among justice-involved youth, and CU traits may operate differently for youth who are involved in activity that results in detainment. The current study attempts to further clarify these associations by examining links between CU traits and peer victimization and examining CU traits as a moderator of associations between each form of victimization and depression symptoms, a common adjustment outcome associated with peer victimization. Finally sex differences in associations were considered. Self-reported measures were collected from 269 detained youth (75% male). Regression analyses indicated that CU traits were negatively associated with relational victimization. In contrast, CU traits were either unrelated or positively related to physical victimization, depending on whether the variance associated with relational victimization was considered. CU traits did not moderate links between both forms of victimization and depression symptoms for males or females. Findings suggest that CU traits may operate differently with various forms of victimization among justice-involved youth, with CU traits consistently linked to lower levels of relational victimization. It may be that the impact of CU traits depends on contextual/situational factors.