The Association Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Social Reward Sensitivity: The Moderating Role of Anxiety

Zwols, Amber (2025) The Association Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Social Reward Sensitivity: The Moderating Role of Anxiety. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits, characterized by reduced empathy and a lack of emotional sensitivity, are thought to develop trough both primary and secondary traits, with anxiety as the main distinguishing factor (Frick & White, 2008; Karpman, 1941). CU traits are associated with an inverted social reward sensitivity pattern, in which individuals derive less enjoyment from social interactions and more joy from behaving in a cruel manner toward others (Foulkes et al., 2017). However, research on the moderating effect of anxiety in the relationship between CU traits and social reward sensitivity is limited. Therefore, this study investigates the association between CU traits and two domains of social reward sensitivity: Prosocial Interactions (enjoyment derived from having reciprocal relationships) and Negative Social Potency (enjoyment derived from behaving in a cruelly towards others), with anxiety serving as a potential moderator. This study consists of 85 first-year psychology students who completed multiple questionnaires: the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional traits (ICU) youth version to assess CU traits, the Social Reward Questionnaire-Adolescent version, (SRQ-A) to measure Prosocial Interactions and Negative Social Potency, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) to assess anxiety. Two moderation analyses were conducted. The results showed that anxiety significantly negatively moderated the association between CU traits and Prosocial Interactions. Anxiety did noy significantly moderator the association between CU traits and Negative Social Potency. Follow-up research could focus on other factors that may moderate the association between CU traits and social reward sensitivity, as well as, further explore the differences between primary and secondary CU traits.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Kleine Deters, R.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2025 07:59
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2025 07:59
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5667

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