Abstract
The link between callous-unemotional (CU) traits in youth and delinquent, aggressive and violent behavior is well-replicated
in the literature. However, the mediating effects of violence exposure on this relationship are unclear. The current study
addresses this important gap in the literature with a sample of 88 detained, primarily ethnic minority adolescent boys (M age = 15.57; SD = 1.28). Results indicate that exposure to violence fully mediated the relationship between CU traits and violent delinquency,
and this pattern of mediation was accounted for by exposure to witnessed violence, but not direct violent victimization. Secondly, exposure to violence, both direct and witnessed forms, also mediated
the relationship between CU traits and drug delinquency. These findings suggest that (a) the well-established link between
CU traits and violence may be attributed to high rates of witnessed violence among this subpopulation, and (b) specific types
of violence exposure may be important for predicting the offending patterns of youth high on CU traits. Theoretical and practical
implications are discussed.
in the literature. However, the mediating effects of violence exposure on this relationship are unclear. The current study
addresses this important gap in the literature with a sample of 88 detained, primarily ethnic minority adolescent boys (M age = 15.57; SD = 1.28). Results indicate that exposure to violence fully mediated the relationship between CU traits and violent delinquency,
and this pattern of mediation was accounted for by exposure to witnessed violence, but not direct violent victimization. Secondly, exposure to violence, both direct and witnessed forms, also mediated
the relationship between CU traits and drug delinquency. These findings suggest that (a) the well-established link between
CU traits and violence may be attributed to high rates of witnessed violence among this subpopulation, and (b) specific types
of violence exposure may be important for predicting the offending patterns of youth high on CU traits. Theoretical and practical
implications are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9647-2
- Authors
- Aisha L. Howard, Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Eva R. Kimonis, Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Luna C. Muñoz, Durham University, Durham, UK
- Paul J. Frick, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627