Longitudinal approach to child and youth conduct problemslooking through the role of psychopathic traits

Resumo

Child and youth conduct problems constitute a major phenomenon nowadays, with implications at different levels (individual, familial, academic, social, etc.) that raise important social concerns. Even though we know that a high proportion of this problematic behavior is more common during adolescence, prior research has suggested that the most serious and persistent forms show an early onset. Concerning this, different theoretical approaches suggesting the distinction between early- and adolescence-onset conduct problems have been proposed. These approaches highlight the need of assuming a developmental approach, through longitudinal studies, leading to examine in depth the development of problematic behavior, and the factors and mechanisms that may explain its course over the life span. To this end, the current work is devoted to analyzing, from a longitudinal person-oriented perspective, the development of conduct problems from childhood to adolescence, particularly focusing on the role that psychopathic traits (e.g., callous and unemotional traits; CU) may play in that process. Through the five studies included in the present work, different developmental trajectories of child and youth conduct problems have been identified in a six-year period, as well as the relevance of general psychopathic traits, and specific CU traits, as identifiers of a high-risk profile. Similarly, the significance of psychopathic personality as a valid and useful construct in the development and understanding of the most serious forms of behavioral and psychosocial maladjustment has been reinforced. Overall, a comprehensive outlook of conduct problems has been provided through the study of psychopathic personality, with valuable theoretical and practical implications that lead to opening new means of analysis, discussion, and application in terms of prevention and intervention.