Treatment Response in CP/ADHD Children with Callous/Unemotional Traits

The current study examines the role of callous/ unemotional (CU) traits in response to treatment among children with conduct problems (CP) and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fifty-four children with CP/ADHD and 16 controls (age=9.48, SD=1.58) took part in a summer treatment and research program. Simple correlations showed that CU and CP were associated with a number of treatment outcome measures. When examined together in regression analyses, CU and CP were uniquely associated with three treatment outcomes each (CU— improvement in social skills and problem solving, negative behaviors in time-out; CP—time-outs per day, peer ratings, peer dislike). The implications for these findings with regard to treatment response in children with CP/ADHD with and without CU traits are explored