Examination of the Successful Psychopathy Conceptualization in Youth with Callous-Unemotional Traits
Date of Award
Fall 12-2016
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Applied Developmental Psychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Frick, Paul
Second Advisor
Laird, Bobby
Third Advisor
Marsee, Monica
Fourth Advisor
Lamm, Cornelia
Fifth Advisor
Ray, James
Abstract
Although research has demonstrated that some adults with psychopathic traits show better executive functioning and higher intelligence that make them “successful”, there has been very minimal research testing whether similar distinctions can be made in samples of youth with elevated CU traits. Utilizing a sample of 1216 male adolescent first-time offenders, the current study examined whether executive functioning, intelligence and/or impulse control would moderate the relationship between CU traits and antisocial outcomes. The current study also examined whether CU traits were more strongly associated with a number of positive adjustment indicators at higher levels of the moderators. Results did not support successful psychopathy conceptualizations for youth with CU traits. Unlike findings in adult psychopathy research, adolescents high on CU traits who were also of higher intelligence engaged in more aggressive acts. The current findings also indicated that none of the proposed moderators influenced the relationship between CU traits and the positive adjustment indicators.
Recommended Citation
Myers, Tina D. Wall, "Examination of the Successful Psychopathy Conceptualization in Youth with Callous-Unemotional Traits" (2016). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 2264.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2264
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.