The effectiveness of behavioral treatment and physical management on children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Pevitr Bansal
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
Children presenting with conduct problems (CP) and callous-unemotional (CU) traits have shown a mixed response to behavioral treatment, with research noting both positive and limited effectiveness. The current study explores how children with varying levels of CU traits (low, medium, and high) respond to a Summer Treatment Program (STP) over time, as measured by duration of Time-Out (TO) and physical management. Participants were 44 youth (ages 7-12, 30% Hispanic) enrolled in a five- week summer treatment program. Treatment staff reported the duration of TO, physical management, and behavioral observations. Count data were modeled using a negative binomial mixed model with a log link; interactions were probed via slope analysis. For TO duration, children with high CU traits showed the greatest decline (b = -.81, p < .0001), followed by medium CU traits (b = -.66, p < .0001), and low CU Traits (b = -.51, p < .0001) as the STP progressed. For Physical Management, the effect of STP week on duration was significant at low levels of CU traits (b = -.97, p < .001) and medium CU levels (b = -.59, p < .01). As STP progressed, the duration of TO and physical management decreased. While children across all levels of CU traits showed a decline in TO durations, only those with medium and low CU traits showed a decline in the duration of physical management. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the CU level when treating children with CP. Future research should explore which treatments are most effective for children with high levels of CU traits.
The effectiveness of behavioral treatment and physical management on children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits
Children presenting with conduct problems (CP) and callous-unemotional (CU) traits have shown a mixed response to behavioral treatment, with research noting both positive and limited effectiveness. The current study explores how children with varying levels of CU traits (low, medium, and high) respond to a Summer Treatment Program (STP) over time, as measured by duration of Time-Out (TO) and physical management. Participants were 44 youth (ages 7-12, 30% Hispanic) enrolled in a five- week summer treatment program. Treatment staff reported the duration of TO, physical management, and behavioral observations. Count data were modeled using a negative binomial mixed model with a log link; interactions were probed via slope analysis. For TO duration, children with high CU traits showed the greatest decline (b = -.81, p < .0001), followed by medium CU traits (b = -.66, p < .0001), and low CU Traits (b = -.51, p < .0001) as the STP progressed. For Physical Management, the effect of STP week on duration was significant at low levels of CU traits (b = -.97, p < .001) and medium CU levels (b = -.59, p < .01). As STP progressed, the duration of TO and physical management decreased. While children across all levels of CU traits showed a decline in TO durations, only those with medium and low CU traits showed a decline in the duration of physical management. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the CU level when treating children with CP. Future research should explore which treatments are most effective for children with high levels of CU traits.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.