Less imitation of arbitrary actions is a specific developmental precursor to callous-unemotional traits in early childhood.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits in early childhood explain heterogeneity within conduct problems and are associated with higher risk for later diagnoses of childhood disruptive behavior disorders and antisocial behavior in adulthood. Emerging research implicates impairments in affiliative processes in the etiology of CU traits. The current study tests whether the imitation of intentional actions with no functional significance -a behavior that supports the acquisition of social conventions and affiliative bonds, is a specific developmental precursor to CU traits in early childhood.

Methods

Data came from a longitudinal twin study of 628 children (Age 2: 47% females; Age 3: 44.9% females) with observations of arbitrary (i.e., nonfunctional actions) and instrumental

SUBMITTER: Wagner NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7335314 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature