title: Differential associations of early callous-unemotional, oppositional, and ADHD behaviors: multiple domains within early-starting conduct problems?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early-starting child conduct problems (CP) are linked to the development of persistent antisocial behavior. Researchers have theorized multiple pathways to CP and that CP comprise separable domains, marked by callous-unemotional (CU) behavior, oppositional behavior, or ADHD symptoms. However, a lack of empirical evidence exists from studies that have examined whether there are unique correlates of these domains.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined differential correlates of CU, oppositional, and ADHD behaviors during the preschool years to test their potentially distinct nomological networks. Multimethod data, including parent and teacher reports and observations of child behavior, were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal study of children assessed at age 3 and age 6 (N = 240; 48% female).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dimensions of CU, oppositional, and ADHD behaviors were separable within Confirmatory Factor Analyses across mother and father reports. There were differential associations between CU, oppositional, and ADHD behaviors and socioemotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes: CU behavior was uniquely related to lower moral regulation, guilt, and empathy. ADHD was uniquely related to lower attentional focusing and observed effortful control. Finally, CU behavior uniquely predicted increases in teacher-reported externalizing from ages 3-6 over and above covariates, and ADHD and oppositional behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consistent with theory, dimensions of CU, ADHD, and oppositional behavior demonstrated separable nomological networks representing separable facets within early-starting CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Luke W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Adam S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Grabell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Martha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.|Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Sheryl L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male
keywords: Callous-unemotional; attention deficit/hyperactive; conduct problems; nomological network; oppositional