Abstract

This study examines whether subgroups of adolescents classified by callous-unemotional (CU) traits and anxiety show cognitive and emotional patterns similar to subgroups of psychopath adolescents, using 611 students’ data in middle and high school. The Korean-version Inventory of the Callous-Unemotional traits and the Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to distinguish groups. Further, it comprised the primary CU group (high CU/low anxiety) and the secondary CU group (high CU/low anxiety) as psychopath tendency subgroups, and two comparative groups (low CU/low anxiety and low CU/high anxiety). Furthermore, the Korean-version Children's Automatic Thoughts Scale, the How I Think Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Affect Intensity Measure were used to examine cognitive and emotional differences between the four groups. The results show two psychopath-like subgroups were distinguished cognitively and emotionally. The primary CU group is related to more self-serving cognitive distortions and the lowest level in frequency and intensity of emotional experiences. Second, the secondary CU group is characterized by self-serving cognitive distortions and negative automatic thoughts. Moreover, they experience negative emotions more often and strongly than the primary CU group. Therefore, based on these results, researchers and clinicians can focus on differentiated treatment targets. Finally, the significances and the limitations of this study are discussed.