Citation

Barry TD, Barry CT, Deming AM, Lochman JE. Crim. Justice Behav. 2008; 35(2): 244-262.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0093854807310508

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current study is a preliminary longitudinal investigation of the stability of psychopathic characteristics, including social relationships as a moderator, within a group of aggressive children (N = 80). Data were collected from the children, their parents, teachers, and peers.

RESULTS indicated that the psychopathic characteristics (callous--unemotional traits, impulsive conduct problems, and narcissism) were relatively stable across three time points. Social relationship variables (child self-report of social competence, teacher-rated social competence, and peer-rated social preference) were generally correlated with psychopathic characteristics. Self-report of social competence moderated change from Time 1 to Time 2 narcissism based on parent report. Both peer-rated social preference and teacher-rated social competence moderated change from Time 1 to Time 3 impulsive conduct problems. These results provide preliminary support that psychopathic characteristics are generally stable in aggressive children and that social relationships are a potentially valuable point of intervention when children present with these characteristics.

Keywords: Juvenile justice

Language: en