Hirokazu Osada
Senshu University, Japan
Title: National survey of japanese elementary and junior high school students with callous-unemotional traits
Biography
Biography: Hirokazu Osada
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Callous-Unemotional Traits (CU traits) have been adopted as one of the specified features under Conduct Disorder (CD) in DSM-5. CD is directly related to antisocial behaviors including delinquency. If CU traits could be detected in early life stages, we could prevent children from antisocial behaviors.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: I conducted national survey for screening CU traits among Japanese children and adolescents by using the Japanese version of the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (JICU). A total of 4088 students (average age was 12.5 years old (SD=1.56), 2125 boys and 1963 girls) participated in this research.
Findings: Cronbach’s alpha calculated by using all the 24 questions was 0.74, which indicated the JICU had acceptable reliability. Average total scores of the JICU was 26.5 (SD=7.91), which was almost the same score reported by Kumsta (2012) among UK sample. I found a certain level of reliability and validity of the JICU. Using 80 percentile score of the JICU as a cut-off for CU traits, 795 students were considered as having CU traits. I found there were no cultural differences between Japanese and American or European children and adolescents, who had presented with CU traits in the previous research.
Conclusion & Significance: We could adopt the previous American and/or European evidence based practices to prevent Japanese children and adolescents with CU traits from antisocial behaviors in the future.