The predictive value of callous-unemotional traits and empathy on the stability of conduct problems in 6 and 7 year old children with ADHD and/or ODD

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that within the wide range of factors that influence the persistence of antisocial behaviour in youth, CU traits are particularly relevant. However, limited research has been done on examining the predictive value of CU traits in young children. Therefore the present longitudinal study aimed to investigate the role of CU traits and empathy in the persistence of severe conduct problems in a clinically referred sample of 41 initially 6-7 year old children with diagnoses of ADHD and/or ODD. Parents and teachers rated the child’s CU traits and empathy at the initial assessment (T1), as well as the amount of conduct problems at both the initial and 1–year follow-up assessment (T2). As expected, there was a high stability of conduct problems over a 1-year period. Although CU traits and empathy were expected to contribute to the prediction of persistent conduct problems, no incremental value was found for these variables. In parent reports, T1 conduct problems and male gender significantly predicted T2 conduct problems. In teacher reports, T1 conduct problems significantly predicted T2 conduct problems. In a more clearly defined measure of aggressive behaviour, T1 aggression significantly predicted T2 aggressive behaviour, in both parent and teacher reports. The findings are consistent with prior research on aggression, but contrary to prior research on CU traits and empathy. In young children there seems to be no predictive value of CU traits and empathy for conduct problems over one year. Several limitations of the study are discussed and directions for further research are proposed, such as examining the influence of CU traits at young age in context of other domains of functioning.