Differences in Offending Patterns Between Adolescent Sex Offenders High or Low in Callous–Unemotional Traits

In the present study, the authors investigated whether callous and unemotional (CU) traits designated a distinct and important group of adolescent sex offender. A sample of 150 detained adolescents (mean age 15.89, SD 1.53) with a current sexual offense disposition was assessed with a self-report measure of CU traits and through extensive assessments of the characteristics of their sexual offending behaviors using self-report interviews and file review. Results indicated that after controlling for the severity of their history of impulsive/antisocial behaviors, offenders high on CU traits had a greater number of sexual offense victims, used more violence with their victims, and engaged in more sexual offense planning than those low on these traits. The 2 groups did not differ greatly on the age of, gender of, or relationship with their victims