Profiles of conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits in children: hot versus cold variants

This study aimed to identify distinct profiles of conduct problems and callous-unemotional (CU) traits in a non-clinical child population using a person-centered approach. A total of 462 children (42% girls; mean age = 4.73 ± 2.84 years) were assessed through parent reports. Standardized instruments included the Inventory of Callous–Unemotional Traits, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability Temperament Survey, and the Parental Stress Scale. Latent class analysis was conducted to explore behavioral profiles. This bottom-up, person-centered methodology allows for a more nuanced understanding of heterogeneous behavioral trajectories compared to traditional categorical classifications. Three profiles emerged: Profile 1 (normal, N = 361, 46% girls) presented low difficulties and high prosocial behavior. Profile 2 (hot conduct problems, N = 26, 35% girls) showed elevated emotional symptoms and moderate conduct problems, reflecting emotional reactivity and poor regulation. Profile 3 (cold conduct problems, N = 75, 29% girls) displayed high CU traits and low prosocial behavior, suggesting lack of empathy and emotional expression. Predictive analyses revealed that hot profiles were associated with higher emotionality, maternal stress during pregnancy, single-parent families, and bullying victimization. Cold profiles were linked to lower sociability, higher parental stress, male gender, and bullying perpetration. These findings highlight the importance of early identification of distinct pathways to conduct problems and their family correlates.