Callous-Unemotional Traits Among Children and Adolescents in Asian Cultures

A Systematic Review

Datos Bibliográficos

ID14257568
AutoresKhai Imm Sng (The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), David J Hawes (0000-0003-3260-1225, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), Suhlim Hwang (0000-0002-5005-4686, ’UCL Institute of Education, UK), Jennifer L Allen (0000-0003-3566-3747, University of Bath), Daniel S S Fung (Institute of Mental Health, Singapore)
Año2020
Volumen51
Número7-8
Páginas576-596
Fecha de publicación2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0022-0221 • E-ISSN: 1552-5422
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022022120944475
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas69

Considerable evidence now exists for callous and unemotional (CU) traits as markers for a high-risk pathway to child and adolescent conduct problems implicating unique risk processes and treatment needs, but research has been limited largely to Western countries. We review the evidence base related to CU traits in Asian countries that has emerged in recent years, with respect to four key questions. Specifically, are higher CU traits among Asian children and adolescents associated with (1) increased severity of conduct problems; (2) similar neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive correlates as reported in Western countries; (3) similar environmental risk factors as reported in Western countries; and (4) poorer treatment outcomes? A systematic search identified 28 studies that have reported on child and adolescent CU traits in Asian countries. Consistent with Western samples, CU traits were associated with individual risk factors including atypical neural activation during cognitive tasks and poor empathy, as well as parenting risk factors. CU traits were also positively associated with most measures of conduct problems. Differences from findings in Western samples, however, emerged for areas such as correlates of reactive aggression and delinquent peer influence. Treatment has been investigated in only one study to date and is therefore a high priority for future research. The limitations of existing evidence are addressed along with key directions for future cross-cultural research, including measurement research with children and adolescents