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Callous–Unemotional Traits Influence the Severity of Peer Problems in Children with Impulsive/Overactive and Oppositional/Defiant Behaviors

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Abstract

This study tested whether inattentive–impulsive–overactive (I/O) and oppositional-defiant (O/D) behaviors were associated with peer problems and whether these associations were moderated by callous–unemotional (CU) traits in clinically referred children with disruptive behaviors. Parents of 135 children aged 6–12 years (M = 9.09, SD = 1.62) completed measures to assess their child’s I/O, O/D, and CU behaviors, and peer functioning problems. Findings showed that I/O and O/D behaviors were associated with greater peer problems, and CU traits significantly moderated the I/O behaviors and peer problems association. Children with relatively more CU traits and I/O behaviors showed greater peer problems. However, those with more CU traits and fewer I/O behaviors showed less peer problems. I/O behaviors and CU traits have an important influence on peer functioning that varies according to the severities of each.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation [New Investigator Fellowship], and the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program [Career Development Award] granted to Dr. Andrade.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 80 Workman Way, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada

    Brendan F. Andrade, Djurdja Djordjevic & Alex R. Naber

  2. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada

    Geoff B. Sorge

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Brendan F. Andrade

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  1. Brendan F. Andrade
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  2. Geoff B. Sorge
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  3. Djurdja Djordjevic
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  4. Alex R. Naber
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Correspondence to Brendan F. Andrade.

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Andrade, B.F., Sorge, G.B., Djordjevic, D. et al. Callous–Unemotional Traits Influence the Severity of Peer Problems in Children with Impulsive/Overactive and Oppositional/Defiant Behaviors. J Child Fam Stud 24, 2183–2190 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0021-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-0021-6

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