Association between Callous-Unemotional Traits, Empathy, and Moral Disengagement Mechanisms in Juvenile Offenders

There are few studies that explore the association between cognitive and affective factors according to gender types of crime in juvenile offenders. This study analyzed callous-unemotional traits, empathy, moral disengagement mechanisms differences criminal typology 149 adolescents (M = 17.72 years, SD 1.34) prosecuted by Criminal Responsibility System (SRPA) placed custodial measures. The 81.2% were males 18.8% females. was a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, comparative-correlational study. Scale Moral Disengagement Mechanisms, Inventory Callous-Unemotional Traits Interpersonal Reactivity Index used. It found presented higher scores uncaring. Females total empathy empathic concern. Adolescents with felonies had on attribution blame. correlated positively traits personal distress. Empathic concern perspective taking negatively disengagement. In history felonies, stronger associations traits. non-violent offenses, strongest uncaring, trespassing they Results discussed empirical evidence implications for intervention.