| Description |
This study investigated psychophysiological responding comparing youth with primary, acquired, and lower callous-unemotional (CU) traits in a sample of 361 detained adolescents (265 boys, 96 girls). Mixture modeling using posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) to delineate groups resulted in two groups of youth high in CU traits that were consistent with primary and secondary, or acquired, CU variants. Compared to youth classified in the primary group, youth classified as acquired-CU self-reported higher levels of PTSS, trauma exposure, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation, consistent with previous studies. Psychophysiological responses, specifically electrodermal activity (EDA) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), were measured during baseline, in response to a video task, and during recovery. Results of multilevel models indicated no differences between the primary- and acquired-CU youth in RSA, although the acquired CU group evidenced a less steep recovery slope in EDA. The results of the current study have implications for our understanding of the pathways underlying the development of CU traits as well as for informing interventions with youth with these characteristics. Future directions for research on the development of CU traits are discussed. |
