Puberty Timing and Adolescent Antisocial Behavior: The Role of Callous-Unemotional Traits, Sensation Seeking, and Parental Hostility

Deviant puberty timing has been shown preceding antisocial behavior in adolescence. Within this association, the aim of the present study was to consider the co-occurrence and potential interaction of callous-unemotional (CU) traits, sensation seeking, and parental hostility. In a community based high-risk cohort of adolescents (N = 522; mean age = 14.6; SD = 0.73) puberty timing, level of callous-unemotional traits, sensation seeking, and parental hostility were tested in a cross-sectional design for each sex separately with self-reported delinquent, rule-breaking behavior, and aggressive behavior as outcomes. Additionally, moderation analyses were performed on the associations found. Sex-specific effects were found for different types of puberty timing measurement. This study adds to the knowledge of separate and mutual effects of puberty timing and callous-unemotional traits. Pubertal timing is a relevant aspect of mental health functioning, and its assessment may contribute to identifying youngsters at risk of developing antisocial behavior problems.