ABSTRACT
The current study tested an idealized dynamic cascading model of callous–unemotional features in adolescence. Although the overall cascade was not supported by the data, we did find that early adversity associated with callous–unemotional traits via Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, whereas victimization by peers associated with callous–unemotional traits via Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms. Moreover, when we unpacked the symptom domains of BPD, the data indicated that BPD-related identity disturbance leading to callous–unemotional traits was an important pathway for males, whereas BPD-related violence leading to PTSD symptoms may be an important pathway for females.
