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Verbal ability and delinquency: Testing the moderating role of psychopathic traits

Muñoz, L.C.; Frick, P.J.; Kimonis, E.R.; Aucoin, K.J.

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Authors

L.C. Muñoz

P.J. Frick

E.R. Kimonis

K.J. Aucoin



Contributors

LC Centifanti fmnv66@durham.ac.uk
Other

Abstract

Background:  Impaired verbal abilities are one of the most consistent risk factors for serious antisocial and delinquent behavior. However, individuals with psychopathic traits often show serious antisocial behavior, despite showing no impairment in their verbal abilities. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine whether psychopathy moderates the relationship between verbal abilities and delinquent behavior in a sample of detained youth. Methods:  The sample included 100 detained adolescent boys who were assessed on self-reported delinquent acts and psychopathic traits, as well as their age at first offense based on official records. Participants also completed a competitive computer task involving two levels of provocation, during which skin conductance was measured. A standard measure of receptive vocabulary was individually administered. Results:  As predicted, there was a significant interaction between callous-unemotional (CU) traits (a critical dimension of psychopathy) and verbal ability when predicting violent delinquency. Individuals who were high on CU traits with higher scores on the measure of verbal abilities reported the greatest violent delinquency. These individuals also showed the lowest level of skin conductance reactivity during the provocation task. Conclusions:  The results suggest CU traits are an important moderator of the relation between verbal abilities and violent delinquency.

Citation

Muñoz, L., Frick, P., Kimonis, E., & Aucoin, K. (2008). Verbal ability and delinquency: Testing the moderating role of psychopathic traits. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(4), 414-421. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01847.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2008
Deposit Date Aug 10, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Print ISSN 0021-9630
Electronic ISSN 1469-7610
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 49
Issue 4
Pages 414-421
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01847.x
Keywords Callous-unemotional traits, Psychopathy, Autonomic reactivity, Skin conductance, Verbal ability, Violence.

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The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com




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