Do callous-unemotional traits and resilience work together or in conflict? Thriving after trauma in children

Cumulative trauma, which is devastating can lead to severe psychological outcomes. Exposure to various kinds of trauma, especially in childhood is even more harmful than the sheer volume of experience. Children experiencing cumulative trauma are at greater risk of developing callous unemotional traits. This study examined the mediating role of callous unemotional traits and the moderating role of resilience, in the association between cumulative trauma and behavioral problems among children. A survey of 314 vulnerable children, aged 13 to 17 years (girls = 167; boys = 147) was conducted at seven different institutes in Assam, India. The results indicated that the children experienced 16 different types of trauma during their developmental phases. The mediating model indicated a strong facilitating effect of callous-unemotional (CU) traits in the relationship between cumulative trauma and behavioral problems: externalizing (β = .01; p < .05); internalizing problems (β = .03; p < .01); personal adjustment (β = .03; p < .01); and school problems (β = .04; p < .01). Additionally, resilience did not moderate the association between trauma and behavioral problems. This study strengthens the evidence associating childhood cumulative trauma with an increased risk for the development of CU traits, supporting the notion that these traits could potentially reduce resilience.