Abstract
Psychopathy is a complex disorder characterized by callousness, empathy deficits, and a lack of guilt. While psychopathy cannot be diagnosed until adulthood, these callous-unemotional (CU) traits emerge during early childhood. Interventions aimed at reducing these traits at an early age are generally more effective than treating adults. Literature regarding these child interventions is muddled, inconsistent, and highly limited by methodological challenges. This review synthesizes this conflicting body of research in an attempt to determine best practices. Traditional parent management training (PMT) evidenced mixed results, improving when modified to emphasize the use of positive reinforcement and parental warmth. Treatment gains were moderated by severity of CU traits. Differing levels of CU traits resulted in different responses to certain treatment components, such as additional training or medium of intervention. Together, these findings underscore the importance of individualized treatment approaches tailored in accordance with an individual’s level of CU trait severity, as well as the need for more rigorous, longitudinal studies.
Recommended Citation
Dubois, Jalyn
(2026)
"Review of Treating Callous-Unemotional Traits in Children,"
Undergraduate Research (Journal): Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58361/2766-3590.1082
Available at:
https://kb.gcsu.edu/undergraduateresearch/vol5/iss1/1