Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and callous-unemotional traits as moderators of conduct problems when examining impairment in emerging adults

Abstract Background:Children with early onset of callous unemotional ( CU traits are at risk for long term, persistent psychosocial problems The current study aimed to explore the characteristics of CU in preschool children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD and the diagnostic significance of CU traits in ADHD. Method: A total of 227 preschool children (89 with ADHD, 51 with Autism Spectrum Disorder [ ASD ]], and 87 Typically Developing Children [ TDC ]]) aged 4 5 years old were recruited. The participants were diagnosed using the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA), and assessed using t he Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale IV , The Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits I CU ), t he Behavior Rating Scale of Executive Function Preschool Version BRIEF P )), and t he parent rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ ). Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between ICU subscale scores and total scores among the ADHD, ASD and TDC groups F 59.87 P < 0.001 with the ASD group s coring the higheset 37.16±10.19 ) and the TDC scoring the lowest 20.39±7.40 )). T he callousness scores in the ADHD+ODD group showed the highest level of significance , and the ADHD only group was significantly higher than the TDC F 20.42 , P < 001) The ICU subscales showed low to moderate positive correlations with the SDQ subscales γ 0.21 ~ 0.68 P < 0.01) except the unemotional subscale T he ICU subscales were also negatively associated with the prosocial behaviour subscale γ = 0.45 ~ 0.68 P < The total ICU score was moderately and positively related to the BRIEF-P subscales (γ = 0.4 7 ~0.6 7 P < 0.01). The CU traits were also used to predict oppositional defiant symptoms β = 0.32, R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). The callousness and uncaring subscale scores and the total ICU score were significantly correlated with ADHD symptoms and explained a significant 3 proportion of the variance (15-24%).Conclusions: The current study indicated that having high CU scores was associated with increased odds of having ADHD. Screening for CU traits could be used to predict ADHD diagnosis in preschool children .

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Callous-unemotional traits in Chinese preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health ◽

10.1186/s13034-021-00388-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jinsong Zhang ◽

Wei Li ◽

Huifeng Zhang ◽

Amanda Wilson ◽

Lan Shuai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Incremental Validity ◽

Behavioural Problems ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cu Traits ◽

Callous Unemotional ◽

Oppositional Defiant ◽

Callous Unemotional Traits

Abstract Background Children with early onset of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are at a higher risk for long-term, persistent psychosocial problems. The current study aimed to explore the characteristics of CU in preschool children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the diagnostic significance of CU traits in ADHD. Methods A total of 176 preschool children (89 with ADHD and 87 Typically Developing Children [TDC]) aged 4–5 years old were recruited to the study. The participants were assessed for CU traits, emotional and behavioral problems, and how their executive functioning was associated with ADHD using multiple assessment scales. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the incremental validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), adjusting for possible covariates by child’s sex, conduct problems, and oppositional defiant symptoms. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference of ICU scores between the ADHD and TDC groups (F = 30.12, P < 0.001). In terms of callousness, ADHD + Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) group showed a significant high score, and the ADHD only group scored significantly higher than the TDC group (F = 20.42, P < 0.001). The ICU was negatively associated with the prosocial behaviour subscale (γ = − 0.57, P < 0.01) and showed low to moderate positive correlations with emotional and behavioural problems, as well as executive function (γ = 0.24–0.67, P < 0.05). The ICU scores explained 6% of the incremental validity in ADHD symptoms. The diagnostic value of the ICU for ADHD was medium and acceptable. Conclusions The current study indicated that early identification of CU traits may help clinicians better understand symptoms and behavioural problems in children with ADHD. CU traits therefore could be considered as a useful assessment tool for ADHD.

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Reflexive Gaze Shifts and Fear Recognition Deficits in Children with Callous-Unemotional Traits and Impulsivity/Conduct Problems

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11101342 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 1342

Author(s):

Luna C. Muñoz Centifanti ◽

Timothy R. Stickle ◽

Jamila Thomas ◽

Amanda Falcón ◽

Nicholas D. Thomson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Emotion Recognition ◽

Conduct Problems ◽

Causal Chain ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Cu Traits ◽

Fearful Faces ◽

Callous Unemotional ◽

Callous Unemotional Traits ◽

Pilot Intervention

The ability to efficiently recognize the emotions on others’ faces is something that most of us take for granted. Children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits and impulsivity/conduct problems (ICP), such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, have been previously described as being “fear blind”. This is also associated with looking less at the eye regions of fearful faces, which are highly diagnostic. Previous attempts to intervene into emotion recognition strategies have not had lasting effects on participants’ fear recognition abilities. Here we present both (a) additional evidence that there is a two-part causal chain, from personality traits to face recognition strategies using the eyes, then from strategies to rates of recognizing fear in others; and (b) a pilot intervention that had persistent effects for weeks after the end of instruction. Further, the intervention led to more change in those with the highest CU traits. This both clarifies the specific mechanisms linking personality to emotion recognition and shows that the process is fundamentally malleable. It is possible that such training could promote empathy and reduce the rates of antisocial behavior in specific populations in the future.

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