TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychopathic traits and behavioral problems in children at risk of psychopathology
T2 - The mediating role of executive functions
AU - Barrau, Victor
AU - Lopez-Romero, Laura
AU - Bosch, Rosa
AU - Torrubia, Rafael
AU - Bonillo, Albert
AU - Casas, Miquel
AU - Molinuevo, Beatriz
PY - 2025/1/1
Y1 - 2025/1/1
N2 - Psychopathic traits (PT) are present from early development and are associated with severe behavioral problems (BP). Poorer executive function (EF) is also associated with BP. This study aims to examine whether PT are associated with deficits in EF, whether these deficits are associated with BP, and the potential mediating role of EF in the relationship between PT and BP. Parents of 180 children at "risk for psychopathology", aged 5-12 years (M = 8.29; SD = 2.13; 41.1% girls) participated in the study. Results from path analyses supported the expected direct effects, and highlighted the mediation effect of EF in the association between PT and BP. The effects were noteworthy when considering behavioral regulation and emotional control, showing how the relationship between the affective dimension of PT (callous-unemotional traits) and BP was fully mediated by these EF. These findings provide insight to BP heterogeneity and may clarify pathways of BP development, prognosis, and treatment.
AB - Psychopathic traits (PT) are present from early development and are associated with severe behavioral problems (BP). Poorer executive function (EF) is also associated with BP. This study aims to examine whether PT are associated with deficits in EF, whether these deficits are associated with BP, and the potential mediating role of EF in the relationship between PT and BP. Parents of 180 children at "risk for psychopathology", aged 5-12 years (M = 8.29; SD = 2.13; 41.1% girls) participated in the study. Results from path analyses supported the expected direct effects, and highlighted the mediation effect of EF in the association between PT and BP. The effects were noteworthy when considering behavioral regulation and emotional control, showing how the relationship between the affective dimension of PT (callous-unemotional traits) and BP was fully mediated by these EF. These findings provide insight to BP heterogeneity and may clarify pathways of BP development, prognosis, and treatment.
KW - Psychopathic traits
KW - Behavioral problems
KW - Children.
KW - Executive functions
KW - Rasgos psicopáticos
KW - Funciones ejecutivas
KW - Problemas de conducta
KW - Infancia
UR - https://portalrecerca.uab.cat/en/publications/fcf94633-31c5-4ec3-992b-d17237c48be4
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/85334966-1c46-3b65-9852-a7875afb33a4/
U2 - 10.21134/rpcna.2025.12.1.2
DO - 10.21134/rpcna.2025.12.1.2
M3 - Article
SN - 2340-8340
VL - 12
SP - 5
EP - 13
JO - Revista de Psicologia Clinica con Ninos y Adolescentes
JF - Revista de Psicologia Clinica con Ninos y Adolescentes
IS - 1
ER -