[Psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits in a high-risk sample of adolescent boy].

INTRODUCTION

The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) is one of the most widely used measures of psychopathic traits in children. Callous-unemotional (CU) traits designate an important subgroup of antisocial youth characterized by lack of empathy, guilt and remorse. The aim of the present study was to test the applicability and reliability of the self-reported ICU in a high-risk sample of adolescent boys.

METHODS

Participants were 202 adolescent boys (mean age: 16.63 years; SD = 1.71) from institutional care facilities and juvenile detention centres. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted to investigate the factor structure of the ICU. In addition, MIMIC modelling (CFA with covariates) was applied to test the convergent validity of the ICU scores by examining relationships with externalizing symptoms (including conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, proactive-reactive aggression), and prosocial behaviour.

RESULTS

We observed that the bifactor model with three correlated specific factors (callousness, uncaring and unemotional) and one general CU traits factor provided the best fit to the data. However, similar to previous studies, low internal consistency was found for the unemotional scale. In line with our expectations, CU traits showed positive associations with externalizing symptoms, and negative associations with prosocial behaviour.

CONCLUSION

The ICU is a reliable and valid measure of callous-unemotional traits. Our results support the application of the Hungarian version of the questionnaire.