Psychopathic traits and behavioral problems in children at risk of psychopathology:: The mediating role of executive functions

• Víctor Barrau ^[1] ; Laura López-Romero ^[2] ; Rosa Bosch ^[1] ; Rafael Torrubia ^[1] ; Albert Bonillo ^[1] ; Miquel Casas ^[1] ; Beatriz Molinuevo ^[1]
  1. [1] Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

     Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

     Barcelona, España

     
  2. [2] Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

     Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

     Santiago de Compostela, España

     
• Localización: Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes, ISSN-e 2340-8340, Vol. 12, Nº. 1, 2025, págs. 5-13
• Idioma: español
• DOI: 10.21134/rpcna.2025.12.1.2
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Rasgos psicopáticos y problemas de conducta en niños/as en riesgo de psicopatología: El papel mediador de las funciones ejecutivas. Los rasgos psicopáticos (RP) están presentes desde el desarrollo temprano y se asocian con problemas de conducta (PC) graves. Una función ejecutiva (FE) más deficiente también se asocia con PC. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar si los RP están asociados con déficits en las FE, si estos déficits están asociados con los PC y el posible papel mediador de las FE en la relación entre RP y PC. Familias de 180 niños en “riesgo de psicopatología”, de 5 a 12 años (M = 8,29; DT = 2,13; 41,1% niñas) participaron en el estudio. Los resultados de los análisis de mediación respaldaron los efectos directos esperados y resaltaron el efecto de mediación de las FE en la asociación entre los RP y los PC. Los efectos fueron notables al considerar la regulación conductual y el control emocional, mostrando cómo la relación entre la dimensión afectiva de los RP (rasgos de dureza e insensibilidad afectiva) y los PC estaba totalmente mediada por estas FE. Estos hallazgos proporcionan información sobre la heterogeneidad de los PC y pueden aclarar sus vías de desarrollo, pronóstico y tratamiento.

  • English

    Psychopathic traits (PT) are present from early development and are associated with severe behavioral problems (BP). Poorer executive function (EF) is also associated with BP. This study aims to examine whether PT are associated with deficits in EF, whether these deficits are associated with BP, and the potential mediating role of EF in the relationship between PT and BP. Parents of 180 children at “risk for psychopathology”, aged 5-12 years (M = 8.29; SD = 2.13; 41.1% girls) participated in the study. Results from path analyses supported the expected direct effects, and highlighted the mediation effect of EF in the association between PT and BP. The effects were noteworthy when considering behavioral regulation and emotional control, showing how the relationship between the affective dimension of PT (callous-unemotional traits) and BP was fully mediated by these EF. These findings provide insight to BP heterogeneity and may clarify pathways of BP development, prognosis, and treatment.

    Keywords: Psychopathic traits; executive functions; behavioral problems; children.

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