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Ivanova-Serokhvostova A, Fanti K, Bonillo A, Supèr H, Corrales M, Pérez-Bonaventura I, Pamias M, Ramos-Quiroga AJ, Torrubia R, Nadal R, Frick PJ, Molinuevo B. Do Children with High Callous-Unemotional Traits Have Attentional Deficits to Emotional Stimuli? Evidence from a Multi-Method and Multi-Informant Study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024:10.1007/s10578-024-01739-6. [PMID: 39152275 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Callous-unemotional (CU) traits in children and adolescents are linked to severe and persistent antisocial behavior. Based on past empirical research, several theoretical models have suggested that CU traits may be partly explained by difficulties in correctly identifying others' emotional states as well as their reduced attention to others' eyes, which could be important for both causal theory and treatment. This study tested the relationships among CU traits, emotion recognition of facial expressions and visual behavior in a sample of 52 boys referred to a clinic for conduct problems (Mage = 10.29 years; SD = 2.06). We conducted a multi-method and multi-informant assessment of CU traits through the Child Problematic Traits Inventory (CPTI), the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional (ICU), and the Clinical Assessment of Prosocial Emotions-Version 1.1 (CAPE). The primary goal of the study was to compare the utility of these methods for forming subgroups of youth that differ in their emotional processing abilities. An emotion recognition task assessed recognition accuracy (percentage of mistakes) and absolute dwell time on the eyes or mouth region for each emotion. Results from repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that low and high CU groups did not differ in emotion recognition accuracy, irrespective of the method of assessing CU traits. However, the high CU group showed reduced attention to the eyes of fearful and sad facial expressions (using the CPTI) or to all emotions (using the CAPE). The high CU group also showed a general increase in attention to the mouth area, but only when assessed by the CAPE. These findings provide evidence to support abnormalities in how those elevated on CU traits process emotional stimuli, especially when assessed by a clinical interview, which could guide appropriate assessment and more successful interventions for this group of youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya Ivanova-Serokhvostova
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Kostas Fanti
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Albert Bonillo
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Hans Supèr
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Cognition, Development and Education Psychology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Corrales
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Psychiatry Mental Health and Addictions, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Pérez-Bonaventura
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Montserrat Pamias
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni J Ramos-Quiroga
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Psychiatry Mental Health and Addictions, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Torrubia
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Roser Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul J Frick
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Beatriz Molinuevo
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Dickerson KL, Quas JA. Compensatory prosocial behavior in high-risk adolescents observing social exclusion: The effects of emotion feedback. J Exp Child Psychol 2024; 241:105840. [PMID: 38245916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Although exposure to violence has been consistently associated with deficits in prosocial behavior among adolescents, effective methods of mitigating these deficits have yet to be identified. The current investigation tested whether prosocial behavior could be promoted by providing adolescents with feedback about the emotional states of others and whether the effects of feedback varied between adolescents who had versus had not experienced violence in the home or in the community. Adolescents aged 8 to 17 years with (n = 87) and without (n = 61) histories of violence exposure completed a virtual social exclusion ball-tossing paradigm in which information about an excluded peer's emotions (sad, angry, or neutral) was experimentally manipulated. Among adolescents with histories of violence exposure, those who received feedback that the peer was sad due to being excluded compensated by throwing the ball more often to that peer. In contrast, adolescents without histories of violence exposure did not engage in compensatory prosocial behavior, instead maintaining a relatively even number of tosses to all players. Findings offer new insight into simple potential methods of eliciting prosocial behavior in adolescents for whom such responding may be compromised and may provide a potential starting point for interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Dickerson
- Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Paz Y, Perkins ER, Colins O, Perlstein S, Wagner NJ, Hawes SW, Byrd A, Viding E, Waller R. Evaluating the sensitivity to threat and affiliative reward (STAR) model in relation to the development of conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits across early adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024. [PMID: 38480986 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward (STAR) model proposes low threat sensitivity and low affiliation as risk factors for callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Preliminary evidence for the STAR model comes from work in early childhood. However, studies are needed that explore the STAR dimensions in late childhood and adolescence when severe conduct problems (CP) emerge. Moreover, it is unclear how variability across the full spectrum of threat sensitivity and affiliation gives rise to different forms of psychopathology beyond CU traits. METHODS The current study addressed these gaps using parent- and child-reported data from three waves and a sub-study of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® of 11,878 youth (48% female; ages 9-12). RESULTS Consistent with the STAR model, low threat sensitivity and low affiliation were independently related to CU traits across informants and time. Moreover, there was significant interaction between the STAR dimensions, such that children with lower sensitivity to threat and lower affiliation had higher parent-reported CU traits. Unlike CU traits, children with higher threat sensitivity had higher parent-reported CP and anxiety. Finally, children with lower affiliation had higher parent-reported CP, anxiety, and depression. Results largely replicated across informants and time, and sensitivity analysis revealed similar findings in children with and without DSM-5 defined CP. CONCLUSIONS Results support the STAR model hypotheses as they pertain to CU traits and delineate threat sensitivity and affiliation as independent transdiagnostic risk factors for different types of psychopathology. Future research is needed to develop fuller and more reliable and valid measures of affiliation and threat sensitivity across multiple assessment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Paz
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily R Perkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Olivier Colins
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Samantha Perlstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Wagner
- Department of Brain and Psychological Science, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel W Hawes
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Amy Byrd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PN, USA
| | - Essi Viding
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Waller
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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4
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Díaz-Vázquez B, López-Romero L, Romero E. Emotion Recognition Deficits in Children and Adolescents with Psychopathic Traits: A Systematic Review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2024; 27:165-219. [PMID: 38240937 PMCID: PMC10920463 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00466-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Children and adolescents with psychopathic traits show deficits in emotion recognition, but there is no consensus as to the extent of their generalizability or about the variables that may be moderating the process. The present Systematic Review brings together the existing scientific corpus on the subject and attempts to answer these questions through an exhaustive review of the existing literature according to PRISMA 2020 statement. Results confirmed the existence of pervasive deficits in emotion recognition and, more specifically, on distress emotions (e.g., fear), a deficit that transcends all modalities of emotion presentation and all emotional stimuli used. Moreover, they supported the key role of attention to relevant areas that provide emotional cues (e.g., eye-region) and point out differences according to the presence of disruptive behavior and based on the psychopathy dimension examined. This evidence could advance the current knowledge on developmental models of psychopathic traits. Yet, homogenization of the conditions of research in this area should be prioritized to be able to draw more robust and generalizable conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Díaz-Vázquez
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Facultade de Psicoloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura López-Romero
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Facultade de Psicoloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Estrella Romero
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Facultade de Psicoloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Differences in emotional contagion, interpersonal relationships and social rewards in males and females: examining the links with primary and secondary psychopathic traits. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04236-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AbstractIndividuals with psychopathic traits display low empathy and as a result they have difficulties maintaining meaningful relationships. Emotional contagion, the ability to automatically mimic others’ emotional states (facial expressions, movements), is a precursor of empathy that contributes to relationship quality and is impaired in individuals with psychopathic traits. The current study examines sex differences in primary and secondary psychopathic traits in a sample of 389 participants (Mage = 33.61; 241 females) and the association of these personality traits with romantic and peer relationships, susceptibility to negative (sadness, fear, anger) and positive (happiness, love) emotional contagion and social motivation factors. Hierarchical multiple regressions run separately in male and female participants, revealed different factors contribute to the maintenance of primary and secondary psychopathic traits. Findings infer different difficulties in social functioning (forming and maintaining relationships), regulating emotions, empathizing via emotional contagion, and motivating factors to engage socially, relate to primary and secondary traits, as well as differences in men and women. This research reflects the importance of investigating psychopathic traits heterogeneously in males and females, to better inform prevention efforts focused on hindering the development and maintenance of these personality traits.
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Iwauchi K, Tanaka H, Okazaki K, Matsuda Y, Uratani M, Morimoto T, Nakamura S. Eye-movement analysis on facial expression for identifying children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:952433. [PMID: 36874367 PMCID: PMC9978093 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.952433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Experienced psychiatrists identify people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (Sz) through interviews based on diagnostic criteria, their responses, and various neuropsychological tests. To improve the clinical diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and Sz, the discovery of disorder-specific biomarkers and behavioral indicators with sufficient sensitivity is important. In recent years, studies have been conducted using machine learning to make more accurate predictions. Among various indicators, eye movement, which can be easily obtained, has attracted much attention and various studies have been conducted for ASD and Sz. Eye movement specificity during facial expression recognition has been studied extensively in the past, but modeling taking into account differences in specificity among facial expressions has not been conducted. In this paper, we propose a method to detect ASD or Sz from eye movement during the Facial Emotion Identification Test (FEIT) while considering differences in eye movement due to the facial expressions presented. We also confirm that weighting using the differences improves classification accuracy. Our data set sample consisted of 15 adults with ASD and Sz, 16 controls, and 15 children with ASD and 17 controls. Random forest was used to weight each test and classify the participants as control, ASD, or Sz. The most successful approach used heat maps and convolutional neural networks (CNN) for eye retention. This method classified Sz in adults with 64.5% accuracy, ASD in adults with up to 71.0% accuracy, and ASD in children with 66.7% accuracy. Classifying of ASD result was significantly different (p<.05) by the binomial test with chance rate. The results show a 10% and 16.7% improvement in accuracy, respectively, compared to a model that does not take facial expressions into account. In ASD, this indicates that modeling is effective, which weights the output of each image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Iwauchi
- Augmented Human Communication Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Augmented Human Communication Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Kosuke Okazaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Matsuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.,Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Uratani
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Morimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakamura
- Augmented Human Communication Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
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Kyranides MN, Christofides D, Çetin M. Difficulties in facial emotion recognition: taking psychopathic and alexithymic traits into account. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:239. [PMID: 36303236 PMCID: PMC9615175 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00946-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymic and psychopathic traits are closely associated, but distinct constructs. Both have been associated with facial emotion processing deficits reflecting empathy deficits, however the underlying mechanism contributing to these deficits is not well-understood. METHODS This study investigated facial emotion recognition performance in a non-clinical sample (N = 110) including both male and female participants, with varying levels of psychopathic and alexithymic traits. Facial emotion recognition was assessed using a computerized task, that presented different expressions depicting five emotional states (pain, fear, sadness, anger, happiness) and neutral expressions. RESULTS Results suggest that the high psychopathic traits group reported lower accuracy compared to the low psychopathic traits group, indicating a more generalized deficit in facial affect recognition, across all emotions. The alexithymic groups (high vs. low) on the other hand did not differ in their performance on the task for any of the emotions presented. CONCLUSION These findings add to the current body of research regarding face processing categorization deficits in relation to psychopathic and alexithymic traits and can inform prevention and intervention efforts that aim to facilitate facial emotion recognition in individuals with these personality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Demetris Christofides
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Mind Mental Health Care, London, UK
| | - Melis Çetin
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Kyranides MN, Petridou M, Gokani HA, Hill S, Fanti KA. Reading and reacting to faces, the effect of facial mimicry in improving facial emotion recognition in individuals with antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02749-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIndividuals with antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits are characterized by deficits in processing facial expressions, which results in poor social adaptation and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. However, it is not clear how individuals with varying levels of these traits differ in this emotional impairment and if these deficits are due to correctly identifying or reacting appropriately to facial expressions. The aim of the study was to examine how individuals with these traits recognized and responded to affective facial expressions by using FaceReader software (which analyses footage of faces) across different experimental conditions (imitation, suppression, and control). Imitating facial expressions was introduced to examine whether it could direct participants’ attention to the facial cues and improve participants’ performance on the facial task. A total of 643 individuals from the community were pre-screened and a sample (N = 107; M age = 21.08, SD = 1.55), differentiated on levels of antisocial personality disorder (APD) symptoms and psychopathic (PSY) traits, who were selected based on extreme scores (high/low), were invited to participate in the study. Individuals with higher levels of APD symptoms and PSY traits (APD + PSY) expressed more anger than other groups, while those in the APD-only group expressed more sadness, compared to other groups. Overall, participants were compliant in following the instructions to imitate facial expressions. However, only the group with predominantly APD symptoms and the group with combined symptoms (APD + PSY) showed improvement in their accuracy ratings specifically when instructed to imitate facial expressions, compared to when no instructions were provided. The study offers a promising direction for targeting deficits in facial emotion recognition, suggesting that the deficits found in individuals with behavioral problems (with and without psychopathic traits) can be improved by asking them to imitate facial expressions.
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Young AC, Kyranides MN. Understanding Emotion Regulation and Humor Styles in Individuals with Callous-Unemotional Traits and Alexithymic Traits. THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 156:147-166. [PMID: 35015960 DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2021.2017831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexithymia is a personality trait which is characterized by impairments in identifying and describing emotions. Both psychopathic and alexithymic personality traits have been associated with impairments in emotion processing. This study aims to clarify the conceptual overlap between psychopathic traits (focusing on callous-unemotional traits) and alexithymic traits, with emotion regulation strategies and humor styles using a community sample. A battery of self-report measures was distributed through an online platform to 538 male and female participants between the ages of 18 to 65. Hierarchal linear regression analyses demonstrated that emotion regulation strategies were the strongest predictors and accounted for the largest variance of callous-unemotional traits and alexithymic traits. More specifically, expressive suppression arose as a positive predictor while cognitive reappraisal arose as a negative predictor for both personality traits. Aggressive humor (maladaptive) arose as a positive predictor while self-defeating humor (maladaptive) and affiliative humor (adaptive) arose as negative predictors for callous-unemotional traits. In contrast, self-defeating humor arose as a positive predictor for alexithymic traits while affiliative humor and self-enhancing humor arose as negative predictors. Findings indicate that there are similarities and differences between these personality traits. The implications regarding tailoring interventions that target specific deficits associated with each personality trait are discussed.
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10
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Extending the Construct of Psychopathy to Childhood: Testing Associations with Heart Rate, Skin Conductance, and Startle Reactivity. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-021-09946-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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11
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Primary and secondary psychopathic traits: The role of attachment and cognitive emotion regulation strategies. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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12
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Dickerson KL, Quas JA. Emotional awareness, empathy, and generosity in high-risk youths. J Exp Child Psychol 2021; 208:105151. [PMID: 33892296 PMCID: PMC8218817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although maltreatment places youths at risk for substantial deficits in prosociality, effective methods of improving these deficits have yet to be identified. The current investigation tested whether prosociality could be enhanced in maltreated youths by increasing their awareness of others' sadness. Maltreated youths (n = 145) and matched community youths (n = 106) aged 6-17 years completed a sharing task within which labels about a peer's emotions (sad vs. neutral) were experimentally manipulated. Youths who received the sad emotion label about a peer's feelings showed greater empathic concern, and in turn generosity, toward that peer than youths who received the neutral label. Findings offer new insight into potential methods of improving prosocial responding in youths and thus provide direction for intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Dickerson
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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13
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Abstract
Childhood conduct disorders, a serious mental health concern, put children at risk for significant mental health problems throughout development. Elevations on callous-unemotional (CU) traits designate a subgroup of youth with conduct disorders who have unique causal processes underlying their problem behavior and are at a particularly high risk for serious impairment relative to others with these disorders. As a result, these traits have recently been integrated into major diagnostic classification systems for conduct disorders. Given that CU traits are partly defined by deficits in empathy, we review research on empathy development in typically developing children and use this research to (a) advance theories on the specific emotional deficits that may be associated with CU traits, (b) explain the severe pattern of aggressive behavior displayed by children with elevated CU traits, and (c) suggest possible ways to enhance prevention and treatment for children with conduct disorders and elevated CU traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Frick
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA; , .,Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane 4001, Australia
| | - Emily C Kemp
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA; ,
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