Maternal Care, Maltreatment and Callous-Unemotional Traits Among Urban Male Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., lack of empathy/guilt, uncaring attitudes) are believed to be a developmental antecedent to adult psychopathy and identify antisocial youth at risk for severe and persistent aggression. The psychosocial histories of antisocial and aggressive individuals with psychopathic traits are characterized by abusive or unaffectionate parenting; however, there is a gap in the literature regarding the unique impact of these factors on adolescent offenders. The purpose of the present study was to examine the contribution of maternal warmth and affection (i.e., care) to dimensions of CU traits and aggression, after accounting for the influence of various types of childhood maltreatment. We investigated this aim in a sample of 227 urban male adolescent offenders housed in residential facilities. Results indicated that low maternal care was significantly associated with greater total CU traits and uncaring and callousness dimensions, even after controlling for the effects of various types of childhood abuse and neglect. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between CU traits and care, such that aggression was highest among youths scoring high on CU traits who were exposed to low levels of maternal care. These findings draw attention to the importance of maternal bonding to CU traits and related aggressive behaviors among antisocial youth.

Relational Experiences as Explanatory Factors for the Development of Criminal and Antisocial Behavior: A Scoping Review

“…The studied populations were highly heterogeneous. Many studies were not based on a general population sample, instead focusing on specific groups, such as criminal offenders (Schimmenti 2014;Lahlah 2013;Kimonis 2013;Simons 2008;Wileman 2008;Palmer 2007;Kiriakidis 2006). Eleven studies evaluated both male and female participants (Schimmenti 2014;Nunes 2013;van der Voort 2013;Delhaye 2012;Sousa 2011;Ingoglia 2011;Johnson 2011;Hiramura 2010;Day 2009;Tyler 2006;Heaven 2004), whereas six studies exclusively evaluated male participants (Lahlah 2013;Kimonis 2013;Simons 2008;Wileman 2008;Palmer 2007;Kiriakidis 2006).…”

“…Many studies were not based on a general population sample, instead focusing on specific groups, such as criminal offenders (Schimmenti 2014;Lahlah 2013;Kimonis 2013;Simons 2008;Wileman 2008;Palmer 2007;Kiriakidis 2006). Eleven studies evaluated both male and female participants (Schimmenti 2014;Nunes 2013;van der Voort 2013;Delhaye 2012;Sousa 2011;Ingoglia 2011;Johnson 2011;Hiramura 2010;Day 2009;Tyler 2006;Heaven 2004), whereas six studies exclusively evaluated male participants (Lahlah 2013;Kimonis 2013;Simons 2008;Wileman 2008;Palmer 2007;Kiriakidis 2006). Most studies were quantitative; however, some studies employed a cross-sectional (Nunes 2013;Lahlah 2013;Kimonis 2013;Delhaye 2012;Ingoglia 2011;Hiramura 2010;Day 2009;Simons 2008;Palmer 2007;Kiriakidis 2006;Heaven 2004) or longitudinal design (van der Voort 2013;Sousa 2011;Johnson 2011;Tyler 2006).…”

“…Kimonis et al (2013) described a significant association between physical abuse and aggression; however, a similarly significant association was not identified for the exposure of sexual abuse. Neither did they find a significant association between physical abuse and callous-unemotional traits (CU/psychopathy) in their sample, noting that this insignificant association could "explain inconsistencies in the link between psychopathic traits and history of abuse as reported in prior research" (Kimonis et al 2013, p. 172).…”

“…Eight of the reviewed studies examined the relationship between physical and sexual abuse and criminal and antisocial behavior (Heaven et al 2004;Kimonis et al 2013;Lahlah et al 2013;Schimmenti et al 2014;Simons et al 2008;Sousa et al 2011;Tyler and Johnson 2006;Wileman et al 2008). The measured exposure variables were child abuse, maltreatment and physical parenting, with the two terms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to interpersonal violence/domestic violence and psychological aggression.…”

“…The impact factors measured by these studies represented core elements of attachment theory, as they included dimensions of parental care and connectedness, such as warmth, empathy, sensitivity, Adolescent personality scores were the strongest predictors of the evaluated outcome measures; however, the personality and parenting styles of fathers were also found to be implicated in adolescent adjustment affection, closeness and support, and parental detachment, as indicated by rejection and separation. Kimonis et al (2013) found that adolescent boys who reported their mothers as being less warm, affectionate and involved in their lives tended to score higher on callousunemotional (CU) Traits. Emotional neglect was found to be most highly associated with CU traits after controlling for the influence of other childhood maltreatment measures such as sexual and physical abuse.…”