Peer Victimization Among Detained Youth: The Impact of Callous-Unemotional Traits
- PDF / 647,469 Bytes
- 17 Pages / 439.37 x 666.142 pts Page_size
- 90 Downloads / 173 Views
Peer Victimization Among Detained Youth: The Impact of Callous‑Unemotional Traits Paula J. Fite1 · Anne Williford2 · Rebecca L. Griffith1 · Kannin Parker1 Accepted: 22 November 2020 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Background There are limited studies examining associations between callous-unemotional (CU) traits and peer victimization, with some research suggesting a positive association between these two constructs and other studies indicating no association. However, no research to date has examined these associations among justice-involved youth, and CU traits may operate differently for youth who are involved in activity that results in detainment. Objective The current study attempts to further clarify these associations by examining links between CU traits and peer victimization and examining CU traits as a moderator of associations between each form of victimization and depression symptoms, a common adjustment outcome associated with peer victimization. Finally sex differences in associations were considered. Methods Self-reported measures were collected from 269 detained youth (75% male). Results Regression analyses indicated that CU traits were negatively associated with relational victimization. In contrast, CU traits were either unrelated or positively related to physical victimization, depending on whether the variance associated with relational victimization was considered. CU traits did not moderate links between both forms of victimization and depression symptoms for males or females. Conclusions Findings suggest that CU traits may operate differently with various forms of victimization among justice-involved youth, with CU traits consistently linked to lower levels of relational victimization. It may be that the impact of CU traits depends on contextual/situational factors. Keywords CU traits · Peer victimization · Depression symptoms · Detained youth
* Paula J. Fite [email protected] 1
Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave, Dole HDC, Room 2012, Lawrence, KS 66049, USA
2
School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
13
Vol.:(0123456789)
Child & Youth Care Forum
Introduction Peer victimization is a prevalent concern among youth that contributes to a host of negative adjustment outcomes, including depression symptoms (e.g., Reijntjes et al. 2010; Wang et al. 2009). As such, it is important for researchers to focus on understanding factors that contribute to risk for peer victimization. There is a small but growing body of research examining associations between callous-unemotional (CU) traits and peer victimization; however, findings to date have been mixed, with some studies suggesting a positive association and other studies indicating no association (Zych et al. 2019). Thus, more research is needed to further elucidate these associations. It may be for certain groups of youth that CU traits are a risk factor for victimization, b
Data Loading...
