Traços Callous-Unemotional e Teoria do Apego: Insensibilidade e Afetividade Restrita em jovens adultos no norte do Brasil

Abstract

Callous-unemotional traits, or traits of insensitivity and restricted affectivity in Brazilian Portuguese translation, are defined as a set of affective, behavioral, and interpersonal characteristics of emotional insensitivity and affective detachment that emerge in childhood and can be aggravated or attenuated depending on ontogenetic (life history influences). Attachment Theory, conceived by John Bowlby in 1969 and structured by Mary Ainsworth in 1970 with the classifications of attachment styles into secure, insecure-anxious, and insecure-avoidant, describes a set of biopsychosocial systems of seeking proximity between the child and their central caregivers and the sensitivity of these figures to the child's psychological, biological, and social demands. Among the functioning patterns of these systems shaped by central care relationships, the insecure-avoidant attachment style has as central characteristics emotional detachment, self-centered functioning, and affective inexpression, similar to the characteristics of callous-unemotional traits. Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between callous-unemotional trait scores and attachment styles in young adults in Brazil. Method: This is a cross-sectional and correlational study with a sample of 217 young adults aged 18 to 21 years residing in 12 Brazilian states. Participant recruitment occurred through in-person outreach at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), the University of the Amazon (UNAMA), and online. Data collection was performed using three instruments: a Sociodemographic and Life History Questionnaire, a Relationship Style Scale, and an Inventory of Callousness and Restricted Affectivity Traits. Data analysis was performed using JAMOVI software, and the research was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee (opinion No. 7,548,862). The results suggest a significant association between callous-unemotional traits and avoidant attachment style, with the strongest association reported between the indifference subfactor. As a secondary analysis, callous-unemotional traits showed a significant association among individuals who reported having practiced at least three types of aggression (verbal, physical, and psychological). In summary, the results suggest a positive association between higher scores on callous-unemotional traits and insecure-avoidant attachment style and antisocial behaviors. Furthermore, the literature suggests that variables such as attachment style, life history, neuropsychological development, and socioemotional can be both aggravating and protective factors against callous and restricted affective traits in children, adolescents, and adults.