Factor structure of callous unemotional traits and its associations with morality in middle childhood in a German community sample

Abstract

The present study focuses on assessing the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) in a German community sample of middle childhood participants. Previous research on the ICU has primarily been conducted in different samples and countries, with inconsistent results and little attention given to German middle childhood populations. A total of 824 children aged 7 to 12 years (M = 10.34, SD = 1.65) participated (52.18% male). The ICU, a self-report measure, was employed to assess callous-unemotional traits in middle childhood. Additionally, this study also examines the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and morality. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate various model structures based on previous research. The best-fitting model was found to be a two-factor model consisting of callousness and uncaring factors. The moral self shows a stronger overarching association with the uncaring factor than with callousness.