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<p>Child maltreatment (CM) and callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been linked to aggressive behaviors in adolescence; however, the underlying pathways and causal nature of these links require further investigation. The present study examined how CM influenced aggressive behaviors, accounting for subtype distinctions and gender-specific patterns. This study is based on longitudinal data from 1,592 students from the Chinese Early Adolescent Cohort in Anhui Province. Information on early CM prior to seventh grade was obtained at baseline; CU traits and aggressive behaviors were collected during follow-up. Participants were required to complete self-report questionnaires. Causal mediation analysis was conducted in RStudio 3.4.0, with adjustment for baseline confounders to clarify pathways between CM and aggression. Linear regression results showed that emotional abuse (<i>b</i> = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.53–1.35, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), physical abuse (<i>b</i> = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.48–1.81, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), and emotional neglect (<i>b</i> = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.64–1.70, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) were significantly associated with adolescents’ aggressive behaviors. Mediation analyses indicated that CU traits accounted for 15% of the overall CM effect, with stronger mediation observed in boys (21%) across subtypes, but not in girls. These results support the importance of focusing on enhancing healthy personality development and reducing emotional detachment, and fostering emotional connection when working psychotherapeutically with adolescents who have experienced CM. In addition, reducing CM incidence and promoting healthier personality trajectories represent essential strategies for mitigating aggressive behaviors in adolescence.</p>

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Early Childhood Maltreatment and Adolescent Aggressive Behaviors: A Causal Mediation Analysis of Callous-Unemotional Traits

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月6日

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  • Dongxue Zhu,
  • Chuchu Li,
  • Fan Wang,
  • Yonghan Li,
  • Mengyuan Yuan,
  • Yuan Li,
  • Leilei Cao,
  • Shaojie Wang,
  • Gengfu Wang,
  • Puyu Su,
  • Yuqi Kang

摘要

Child maltreatment (CM) and callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been linked to aggressive behaviors in adolescence; however, the underlying pathways and causal nature of these links require further investigation. The present study examined how CM influenced aggressive behaviors, accounting for subtype distinctions and gender-specific patterns. This study is based on longitudinal data from 1,592 students from the Chinese Early Adolescent Cohort in Anhui Province. Information on early CM prior to seventh grade was obtained at baseline; CU traits and aggressive behaviors were collected during follow-up. Participants were required to complete self-report questionnaires. Causal mediation analysis was conducted in RStudio 3.4.0, with adjustment for baseline confounders to clarify pathways between CM and aggression. Linear regression results showed that emotional abuse (b = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.53–1.35, P < 0.05), physical abuse (b = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.48–1.81, P < 0.05), and emotional neglect (b = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.64–1.70, P < 0.05) were significantly associated with adolescents’ aggressive behaviors. Mediation analyses indicated that CU traits accounted for 15% of the overall CM effect, with stronger mediation observed in boys (21%) across subtypes, but not in girls. These results support the importance of focusing on enhancing healthy personality development and reducing emotional detachment, and fostering emotional connection when working psychotherapeutically with adolescents who have experienced CM. In addition, reducing CM incidence and promoting healthier personality trajectories represent essential strategies for mitigating aggressive behaviors in adolescence.