A Review on the Relationship between Parenting Style and the Prevalence of Callous and Unemotional Traits in Children and Adolescents

Many people consider callous and unemotional (CU) traits to be a simple subsection of another disorder, often overlooking the significance they may have in children, adolescent, and undiagnosed populations. Studies on CU traits in children and adolescents are not nearly as prominent as those in adult populations, and the focus is often placed on those who are already diagnosed with some sort of disruptive behavior disorder. CU traits may be crucial in the identification of more severe or chronic forms of some disorders such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or antisocial personality disorder, or may be predictive of the development of antisocial tendencies when identified in children and adolescents. The styles of parenting as described by Maccoby and Martin may be associated with the development of CU traits in children and adolescents. Authoritarian, neglectful, and indulgent parenting styles have been associated with children with more antisocial tendencies while there is evidence that the development of CU traits can be prevented through authoritative parenting practices. The identification of CU traits in children and adolescents will allow for the proper treatment or preventative measures to be put in place, which may involve alterations in the parenting style they are experiencing