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Callous–unemotional traits as a cross-disorders construct

Abstract

Purpose  

Callous–unemotional (CU) traits are currently viewed as the defining signs and symptoms of juvenile psychopathy. It is unclear,
however, whether CU traits have validity only in the context of conduct disorder (CD) as proposed by Frick and Moffitt (A
proposal to the DSM-V childhood disorders and the ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders work groups to include a specifier
to the diagnosis of conduct disorder based on the presence of callous–unemotional traits, American Psychiatric Association,
Washington, DC, 2010), or also outside CD, either in combination with other forms of psychopathology or as a stand-alone construct.

Methods  

The current review systematically studied the existent literature on CU traits in juveniles to examine their validity inside
and outside CD according to the framework regarding the validity of a psychiatric diagnosis provided by Robins and Guze (Am
J Psychiatry 126:983–987, 1970).

Results  

Inside youth with conduct problems, and CD specifically, it seems that CU traits meet the Robins and Guze criteria. As many
of the reviewed studies included youth with ODD and ADHD as well, there are indications the same might be true for ODD and
ADHD, although probably to a lesser extent. In other disorders, CU traits may be present as well, but their role is not firmly
established. As stand-alone construct, data are lacking or are scarce on all of the above-mentioned criteria.

Conclusions  

CU traits are a useful specifier in CD, and possibly also in disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) more generally. High CU
traits outside DBDs exist but it is as yet unknown if there is a clinical need for defining CU traits as a stand-alone construct.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-20
  • DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0513-x
  • Authors
    • Pierre C. M. Herpers, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Nanda N. J. Rommelse, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Daniëlle M. A. Bons, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Jan K. Buitelaar, Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    • Floor E. Scheepers, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
    • Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
    • Online ISSN 1433-9285
    • Print ISSN 0933-7954
Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 05/12/2012 | Link to this post on IFP |
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