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Buthmann JL, LeMoult J, Miller JG, Berens A, Gotlib IH. Biological sensitivity to adolescent-parent discrepancies in perceived parental warmth. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 16:100211. [PMID: 37808874 PMCID: PMC10550797 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100211] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Parenting behaviors are formative to the psychological development of young people; however, parent and adolescent perceptions of parenting are only moderately correlated with each other. Whereas discrepant perceptions may represent a normative process of deindividuation from caregivers in some adolescents, in others a discrepancy might predict psychological maladjustment. The biological sensitivity to context model provides a framework from which individual differences in development can be estimated in adolescents whose perceptions of parenting diverge from those of their parents. Methods At baseline we obtained diurnal cortisol samples from US adolescents (M = 13.37 years of age, SD = 1.06) as well as parents' and adolescents' ratings of parental warmth; we obtained adolescent-reported symptoms of psychopathology at baseline and again at follow-up two years later (N = 108, 57.5% female). We estimated waking cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and daytime cortisol slopes using piecewise regression models. Results Lower adolescent than parent ratings of parental warmth predicted increased externalizing symptoms at follow-up. Higher waking cortisol and steeper cortisol awakening response and daytime slopes predicted increased internalizing symptoms at follow-up. Further, discrepant ratings of parental warmth interacted with cortisol awakening response and daytime slopes such that greater discrepancies predicted greater increases in externalizing symptoms in adolescents with steeper cortisol slopes. Conclusions These findings indicate that steeper changes in cortisol production throughout the day index a greater sensitivity to perceived parental warmth. Lower adolescent than parent ratings of parental warmth may represent dysfunction in the parental relationship rather than a normative process of deindividuation in adolescents with steeper diurnal cortisol slopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Buthmann
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joelle LeMoult
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Cancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Jonas G. Miller
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Anne Berens
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, 300 N Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Ian H. Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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Isakovic B, Bertoldi B, Tuvblad C, Cucurachi S, Raine A, Baker L, Ling S, Evans BE. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsivity during adolescence in relation to psychopathic personality traits later in life. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2023; 241:104055. [PMID: 37866039 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104055] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychopathic personality traits have been linked to low physiological arousal, particularly among high risk and forensic samples. A core indicator of physiological arousal is the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; however, findings of a link between HPA axis functioning and psychopathic personality traits have been inconsistent. Furthermore, given sex differences in both HPA axis responsivity and psychopathic personality traits, the association may be expected to differ between men and women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between HPA axis responsivity in mid-adolescence and psychopathic personality traits in early adulthood and determine whether the association was moderated by sex. We examined this link in a general population sample of twins (N = 556). Adolescents participated in a psychosocial stress task during which samples of salivary cortisol were collected (11-15 years) and reported psychopathic personality traits using the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (19-20 years). Multilevel linear regression models were estimated in which psychopathic personality traits (boldness, meanness and disinhibition), and their interactions with sex, were regressed on HPA axis responsivity. The study was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (osf.io/gs2a8). Preliminary analyses showed that cortisol levels did not increase significantly during the stressor task but decreased during recovery. Results showed that there was no association between HPA axis responsivity in mid-adolescence and psychopathic personality traits in early adulthood. The associations were not moderated by sex. Findings suggest that HPA axis responsivity in mid-adolescence did not serve as a biological marker for psychopathic personality traits among young adults from the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belma Isakovic
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Bridget Bertoldi
- Clinical Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Catherine Tuvblad
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Sara Cucurachi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Adrian Raine
- Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Laura Baker
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Shichun Ling
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Brittany E Evans
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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3
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Schönthaler EMD, Dalkner N, von Lewinski D, Reininghaus EZ, Baranyi A. Machiavellianism and psychopathy affect sleep quality in people with affective disorders and mentally healthy individuals. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1248931. [PMID: 37780148 PMCID: PMC10539687 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1248931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Deteriorated sleep quality is a predisposing factor and symptom of affective disorders (AD). It is important to investigate factors driving the relationship between sleep and AD, such as personality traits. Previous research has shown that personality traits such as the Dark Triad personality traits (DT) narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy are associated with sleep problems and AD. The current study examined the moderating influence of the DT in the relationship between AD [versus healthy controls (HC)] and sleep quality. Methods Data of 657 individuals (267 HC, 390 AD; 483 female, 166 male, eight diverse; Mage = 34.87, SDage = 13.86) were collected in an online survey, which administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Short Dark Triad questionnaire. Results Moderation analyses controlling for age and gender revealed that Machiavellianism (b = -0.76, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.35) and psychopathy (b = -1.15, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.35), but not narcissism (b = -0.20, p = 0.620, R2 = 0.35), had a negative effect on sleep quality. Specifically, this effect is more pronounced in the HC group, but sleep quality is generally worse in AD. Conclusion Our findings indicate that Machiavellianism and psychopathy should be considered in the prevention and treatment of AD-associated sleep problems. Particularly, monitoring these traits could help to implement timely measures for the prevention of sleep problems, such as psychoeducation and sleep hygiene. The results highlight the role of personality in the aetiopathogenesis of AD and require further differentiation to examine the underlying pathways between the DT, sleep, and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M. D. Schönthaler
- Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nina Dalkner
- Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dirk von Lewinski
- Clinical Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Z. Reininghaus
- Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Baranyi
- Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Del Puerto-Golzarri N, Pascual-Sagastizabal E, Muñoz JM, Carreras MR, Ruiz-Ortiz RM, Azurmendi A. Differential susceptibility to parenting influences on reactive and proactive aggression: The role of testosterone and cortisol in children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 155:106341. [PMID: 37515899 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
This study explored whether cortisol and testosterone moderate the effect of parenting style on children's aggressive behavior, in accordance with the diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility theory; i.e., whether children are vulnerable to negative parenting styles (diathesis-stress) or, in addition to this vulnerability, also benefit more from positive parenting (differential susceptibility). The sample group comprised 279 eight-year-old children (154 boys and 125 girls) from Spain. Aggressive behavior was assessed using the "Reactive and Proactive Questionnaire" (RPQ) and parenting styles were measured using the "Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire" (PSDQ). Additionally, three saliva samples were collected to measure testosterone and cortisol levels, which were analyzed using ELISA. The results revealed that girls' high testosterone levels moderated the association between mothers' authoritarian parenting style and reactive aggression. This result can be explained by the differential susceptibility model. None of the interactions were statistically significant in boys' proactive aggression. The study emphasizes the importance of investigating biological and social factors that may influence aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Del Puerto-Golzarri
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and Their Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Eider Pascual-Sagastizabal
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and Their Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - José Manuel Muñoz
- Psychology Department, University of Cadiz (UCA), Puerto Real, Spain
| | - María R Carreras
- Psychology Department, University of Cadiz (UCA), Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Rosa M Ruiz-Ortiz
- Psychology Department, University of Cadiz (UCA), Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Aitziber Azurmendi
- Department of Basic Psychological Processes and Their Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
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South AJ, Barkus E, Walter EE, Mendonca C, Thomas SJ. Dark Triad Personality Traits, Second-to-Forth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Circulating Testosterone and Cortisol Levels. Biol Psychol 2023; 179:108567. [PMID: 37086902 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dark Triad (DT) personality traits (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism) show sex differences and associations with hormones. Understanding aetiology may assist in mitigating the harm of these potentially adverse characteristics. Low second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is hypothesised to be a marker of high prenatal testosterone exposure and may provide important information about organisational hormones. The aim of the present study was to measure Dark Triad and Big 5 personality traits in relation to digit ratio, salivary testosterone, and cortisol. METHODS A non-clinical sample (N=268; 49.25% Female, age M25.20 ± 8.77yrs) completed the Short Dark Triad and International Personality Inventory Pool - Mini. Afternoon saliva was analysed for testosterone and cortisol, and 2D:4D finger ratios were measured. RESULTS Males scored higher on DT traits than females. Females scored higher on Big 5 agreeableness and neuroticism. Males had higher testosterone and cortisol levels and lower 2D:4D than females. Digit ratio correlated inversely with salivary testosterone, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Testosterone levels correlated positively with cortisol levels and psychopathy and negatively with agreeableness, neuroticism, and Machiavellianism. CONCLUSIONS These results provide indications that Machiavellianism and psychopathy (Dark Triad) traits, but not narcissism or Big 5 traits, are linked to markers of prenatal testosterone exposure. Results also replicate sex differences seen in 2D:4D digit ratios, with males having a shorter second-relative-to-forth finger. Links between circulating testosterone, digit ratios, cortisol and personality traits provide further information about potential biological bases of personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J South
- Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522.
| | - Emma Barkus
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma E Walter
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Bankstown, NSW, Australia, 2214.
| | - Carley Mendonca
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522
| | - Susan J Thomas
- Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 2522.
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Hamada M, Matsubayashi J, Tanaka K, Furuya M, Matsuhashi M, Mima T, Fukuyama H, Mitani A. People with High Empathy Show Increased Cortical Activity around the Left Medial Parieto-Occipital Sulcus after Watching Social Interaction of On-Screen Characters. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3581-3601. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
People with high empathy interpret others’ mental states in daily social interactions. To investigate their characteristics of social cognitive processing, we compared neuromagnetic activities between 20 males with high empathy and 23 males with low empathy while watching social interactions between two characters. Twenty stories of four-panel comic strips were presented; the first three panels described social interactions, and the last panel described empathic/nonempathic behaviors. People with high empathy exhibited increased cortical activity in the right occipital region, medial part of the bilateral superior frontal gyri, and right posterior insula while watching social interaction scenes, which suggests that they paid attention to others’ faces and bodies, and inferred others’ mental states. They also exhibited increased cortical activity in the left superior frontal gyrus while watching empathic behaviors. Moreover, they exhibited increased cortical activity in the region around the left medial parieto-occipital sulcus, which is related to self-projection, while passively watching both empathic and nonempathic endings. Taken together, these results suggest that people with high empathy pay attention to others and actively infer others’ mental states while watching social interactions and that they reconstruct others’ mental states and intentions through self-projection after watching a sequence of others’ behaviors.
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7
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Paré-Ruel MP, Brendgen M, Ouellet-Morin I, Lupien S, Vitaro F, Dionne G, Boivin M. Unique and interactive associations of proactive and reactive aggression with cortisol secretion. Horm Behav 2022; 137:105100. [PMID: 34883328 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The association between aggressive behaviors and diurnal cortisol levels has been debated over the past two decades, as some studies found a negative link between the two, whereas others reported no or a positive association. One possible explanation for these contradictory results is that past studies failed to distinguish between proactive (PROA) and reactive (REA) aggression. The present study examined the unique and joint associations of PROA and REA with three diurnal cortisol indicators: awakening levels, awakening response, and diurnal change. Participants were 542 youths (55.4% girls) followed longitudinally. Teachers evaluated aggressive behaviors when participants were in Grades 4 and 6. In Grade 8, participants provided four saliva samples (i.e., awakening, 30 min thereafter, late afternoon, and bedtime) on four collection days. Controlling for several confounders, multilevel regression analyses revealed an inverse relation between PROA and the CAR in boys who displayed lower or moderate levels of REA, but not in those who exhibited higher levels of REA. No associations emerged with other cortisol indicators. These results are consistent with reports of lower physiological activity in individuals with PROA and underscore the confounding influence of REA in the association between the CAR and proactive aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montréal, Canada; Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, Canada
| | - Sonia Lupien
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; School of Psycho-Education, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- Department of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- Department of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
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8
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Belfry KD, Kolla NJ. Cold-Blooded and on Purpose: A Review of the Biology of Proactive Aggression. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1412. [PMID: 34827411 PMCID: PMC8615983 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Proactive aggression (PA) is a planned and unprovoked form of aggression that is most often enacted for personal gain or in anticipation of a reward. Frequently described as "cold-blooded" or goal oriented, PA is thought to be associated with low autonomic arousal. With this view in mind, we performed a scoping review of the biological correlates of PA and identified 74 relevant articles. Physiological findings indicated a robust association between PA and reduced resting heart rate, and to a lesser extent a relationship between PA and decreased heart rate and skin conductance reactivity, perhaps indicating dampened sympathetic function. The twin literature identified PA as a heritable trait, but little evidence implicates specific genes in the pathogenesis of PA. Neuroimaging studies of PA pinpoint impaired amygdala function in the assessment and conditioning of aversive stimuli, which may influence the establishment of behavioral patterns. Nodes of the default mode network were identified as possible neural correlates of PA, suggesting that altered function of this network may be involved in the genesis of PA. Given the overlap of PA with reactive aggression and the overall behavioral complexity of PA, it is clear that multiple endophenotypes of PA exist. This comprehensive review surveys the most salient neurobiologically informed research on PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly D. Belfry
- Waypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G3, Canada;
| | - Nathan J. Kolla
- Waypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G3, Canada;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Waypoint/University of Toronto Research Chair in Forensic Mental Health Science, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G3, Canada
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Ji D, Flouri E, Papachristou E. Social cognition and cortisol in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Stress Health 2021; 37:415-430. [PMID: 34363741 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review examines the evidence on the association between social cognition and cortisol in the general population. Literature was searched in six databases. Of the 401 studies identified, meta-analyses were conducted on 46 effect sizes (Pearson's correlation coefficients) from 19 studies, supplemented by a narrative review. Pooled estimates suggest that better emotion control is associated with increased cortisol concentrations [r = 0.083, 95% CI (0.033, 0.132)]. Emotion recognition or empathy were not significantly associated with cortisol concentrations [r = 0.072, 95% CI (-0.020, 0.165) and r = 0.004, 95% CI (-0.061, 0.068) respectively]. Subgroup analyses showed that the association between emotion control and cortisol concentrations is significant in males, for morning cortisol, when the cortisol data are transformed to correct for skewed distributions, or when participants are instructed to avoid food and drink intake for at least one hour before sample collection. There was no evidence for an association between social cognition with diurnal cortisol slope or cortisol awakening response. More validation work with greater standardization of methodological procedures is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Ji
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
| | - Eirini Flouri
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK
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Dembińska E, Rutkowski K, Sobański J, Mielimąka M, Citkowska-Kisielewska A, Klasa K, Konietzka M. Abnormal cortisol awakening responses in patients with neurotic and personality disorders admitted for psychotherapy in day hospital. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:207-214. [PMID: 32836009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) has been associated with various psychiatric conditions. The most interesting parameter of the HPA axis function is cortisol awakening response (CAR). Few data exist about the CAR in anxiety or personality disorders and findings are often contradictory showing blunted or increased CAR compared with control groups. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients with neurotic and personality disorders show a specific CAR pattern. The study population comprised 130 patients, mainly females (71.5%), with the primary diagnosis of a neurotic disorder or personality disorder according to ICD-10 admitted for psychotherapy in a day hospital. Pre-treatment cortisol levels were measured in three saliva samples collected in one day. The Symptom Checklist "O" and MMPI-2 were used to assess the pre-treatment levels of patients' symptoms and personality traits. The study revealed a high percentage of CAR non-responders (cortisol increase of less than 2.5 nmol/l) in the study group (43.1%), particularly in females. 49% of them were CAR non-responders compared with 28% in males and 25% in the general population, respectively. CAR non-responders did not differ from the remainder in clinical characteristics. Four different CAR patterns were found in the study group: negative (26.9%), blunted (26.1%), normal (25.4%) and elevated (21.6%) as well as a particular type was not related to clinical characteristics of the patients. The study suggests that abnormal CAR types are observed in patients with neurotic and personality disorders and further research into the mechanism of the findings is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Dembińska
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Rutkowski
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Sobański
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Mielimąka
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Citkowska-Kisielewska
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Klasa
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Konietzka
- Department of Psychotherapy, University Hospital in Krakow, Lenartowicza 14, 31-138, Krakow, Poland
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11
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Heckenberg RA, Hale MW, Kent S, Wright BJ. Empathy and job resources buffer the effect of higher job demands on increased salivary alpha amylase awakening responses in direct-care workers. Behav Brain Res 2020; 394:112826. [PMID: 32717375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The job demands-resources (JD-R) model has rarely been used in conjunction with physiological indicators of stress and ill-health. This study explored the associations between the JD-R model and physiological indicators of the stress response, while considering potential moderators of this relationship. Across 2 timepoints (summer-winter) direct-care workers completed questionnaires assessing job demands, job resources, empathy and self-efficacy, and provided morning saliva samples to assess physiological indices of stress and ill-health. Changes in job resources and empathy were positively correlated with changes in the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Further, changes in both job resources and empathy independently buffered the impact of higher job demands on increased salivary alpha amylase awakening response (sAA-AR) concentrations. These findings suggest that despite increased job demands, the sAA-AR decreased for direct-care workers that had perceived high job resources or who reported higher empathy. Potentially, job resources and empathy may act as a protective factor against the development of poor health associated with workplace stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Heckenberg
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, 3690, Australia
| | - Matthew W Hale
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Stephen Kent
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Bradley J Wright
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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12
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Lasko EN, Chester DS, Martelli AM, West SJ, DeWall CN. An investigation of the relationship between psychopathy and greater gray matter density in lateral prefrontal cortex. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 2:e7. [PMID: 32435742 PMCID: PMC7219674 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2019.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathic traits predispose individuals toward antisocial behavior. Such antagonistic acts often result in "unsuccessful" outcomes such as incarceration. What mechanisms allow some people with relatively high levels of psychopathic traits to live "successful", unincarcerated lives, in spite of their antisocial tendencies? Using neuroimaging, we investigated the possibility that "successful" psychopathic individuals exhibited greater development of neural structures that promote "successful" self-regulation, focusing on the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Across two structural magnetic resonance imaging studies of "successful" participants (Study 1: N = 80 individuals in long-term romantic relationships; Study 2: N = 64 undergraduates), we observed that gray matter density in the left and right VLPFC was positively associated with psychopathic traits. These preliminary results support a compensatory model of psychopathy, in which "successful" psychopathic individuals develop inhibitory mechanisms to compensate for their antisocial tendencies. Traditional models of psychopathy that emphasize deficits may be aided by such compensatory models that identify surfeits in neural and psychological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N. Lasko
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - David S. Chester
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Samuel J. West
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - C. Nathan DeWall
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Yu R, Branje S, Meeus W, Cowen P, Fazel S. Depression, violence and cortisol awakening response: a 3-year longitudinal study in adolescents. Psychol Med 2019; 49:997-1004. [PMID: 30012227 PMCID: PMC6240346 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718001654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence of links between depression and violent outcomes, potential moderators of this association remain unknown. The current study tested whether a biological marker, cortisol, moderated this association in a longitudinal sample of adolescents. METHODS Participants were 358 Dutch adolescents (205 boys) with a mean age of 15 years at the first measurement. Depressive symptoms, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and violent outcomes were measured annually across 3 years. The CAR was assessed by two measures: waking cortisol activity (CAR area under the curve ground) and waking cortisol reactivity (CAR area under the curve increase). Within-individual regression models were adopted to test the interaction effects between depressive symptoms and CAR on violent outcomes, which accounted for all time-invariant factors such as genetic factors and early environments. We additionally adjusted for time-varying factors including alcohol drinking, substance use and stressful life events. RESULTS In this community sample, 24% of adolescents perpetrated violent behaviours over 3 years. We found that CAR moderated the effects of depressive symptoms on adolescent violent outcomes (βs ranged from -0.12 to -0.28). In particular, when the CAR was low, depressive symptoms were positively associated with violent outcomes in within-individual models, whereas the associations were reversed when the CAR was high. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the CAR should be investigated further as a potential biological marker for violence in adolescents with high levels of depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongqin Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan Branje
- Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Meeus
- Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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14
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Psychopathic Traits in Adolescence: the Importance of Examining Components in Face Processing, Voice Processing, and Emotional Skill. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-018-9656-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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15
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Johnson M, Vitacco MJ, Shirtcliff EA. Callous-unemotional traits and early life stress predict treatment effects on stress and sex hormone functioning in incarcerated male adolescents. Stress 2018; 21:110-118. [PMID: 29254415 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1414799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The stress response system is highly plastic, and hormone rhythms may "adaptively calibrate" in response to treatment. This investigation assessed whether stress and sex hormone diurnal rhythms changed over the course of behavioral treatment, and whether callous-unemotional (CU) traits and history of early adversity affected treatment results on diurnal hormone functioning in a sample of 28 incarcerated adolescent males. It was hypothesized that the treatment would have beneficial effects, such that healthier diurnal rhythms would emerge post-treatment. Diurnal cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were sampled two weeks after admission to the correctional/treatment facility, and again approximately four months later. Positive treatment effects were detected for the whole sample, such that testosterone dampened across treatment. CU traits predicted a non-optimal hormone response to treatment, potentially indicating biological preparedness to respond to acts of social dominance and aggression. The interaction between CU traits and adversity predicted a promising and sensitized response to treatment including increased cortisol and a steeper testosterone drop across treatment. Results suggest that stress and sex hormones are highly receptive to treatment during this window of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Johnson
- a School of Public Health , University of California , Berkeley , CA , USA
| | - Michael J Vitacco
- b Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior , Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA
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16
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Fragkaki I, Cima M, Granic I. The role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in adolescent aggression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:24-37. [PMID: 29156403 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies have examined the neuroendocrinology of aggression, the findings are mixed and focused on cortisol and testosterone. We argue that past findings remain inconclusive partly because the key roles of oxytocin and trauma have not been systematically integrated yet. Oxytocin is associated with social behavior and interacts with cortisol and testosterone, whereas trauma is a crucial risk factor of aggression that strongly affects hormonal activity. In this review, we investigate the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in aggression during adolescence. We first discuss how these hormones interact with each other and how trauma influences these interactions and then we propose a model that highlights the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay in aggression. We suggest that the timing of trauma has a distinct effect on hormonal activity and it should be integrated into any comprehensive model. Current trauma is linked to different levels of oxytocin, cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone/cortisol ratio than childhood trauma, but this distinction is also influenced by gender and type of aggression. We conclude that in order to better understand the neuroendocrinology of aggression, it is crucial to incorporate the investigation of oxytocin and trauma in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iro Fragkaki
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Maaike Cima
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabela Granic
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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17
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Boggero IA, Hostinar CE, Haak EA, Murphy MLM, Segerstrom SC. Psychosocial functioning and the cortisol awakening response: Meta-analysis, P-curve analysis, and evaluation of the evidential value in existing studies. Biol Psychol 2017; 129:207-230. [PMID: 28870447 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cortisol levels rise immediately after awakening and peak approximately 30-45min thereafter. Psychosocial functioning influences this cortisol awakening response (CAR), but there is considerable heterogeneity in the literature. The current study used p-curve and meta-analysis on 709 findings from 212 studies to test the evidential value and estimate effect sizes of four sets of findings: those associating worse psychosocial functioning with higher or lower cortisol increase relative to the waking period (CARi) and to the output of the waking period (AUCw). All four sets of findings demonstrated evidential value. Psychosocial predictors explained 1%-3.6% of variance in CARi and AUCw responses. Based on these effect sizes, cross-sectional studies assessing CAR would need a minimum sample size of 617-783 to detect true effects with 80% power. Depression was linked to higher AUCw and posttraumatic stress to lower AUCw, whereas inconclusive results were obtained for predictor-specific effects on CARi. Suggestions for future CAR research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Boggero
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 125 Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506, United States.
| | - Camelia E Hostinar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, 103 Young Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Eric A Haak
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 125 Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506, United States.
| | - Michael L M Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
| | - Suzanne C Segerstrom
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 125 Kastle Hall, Lexington, KY 40506, United States.
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18
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Miller JG. Physiological mechanisms of prosociality. Curr Opin Psychol 2017; 20:50-54. [PMID: 28837956 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Psychophysiological perspectives can provide unique insights into the nature and motivations of children's prosociality and inform our understanding of individual differences. Here, I review current research on prosociality involving some of the most common physiological measures in developmental psychology, including cortisol, various sympathetic nervous system measures, and high-frequency heart rate variability. The literature has been quite mixed, in part because the link between physiology and prosociality is context-dependent and person-dependent. However, recent advances are refining our understanding of the basic physiological mechanisms of prosociality. Resting physiology that contributes to a balance of regulation and vigilance prepares children to effectively cope with future social challenges, like noticing and attending to the needs of others. Experiencing some arousal is an important aspect of empathy-related responding, but physiological patterns of both heightened and hypoarousal can undermine prosociality. Physiological flexibility in response to others' needs may support emotional and behavioral flexibility important for prosociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas G Miller
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, 135 Young Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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19
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Moral Disengagement as Mediator and Moderator of the Relation Between Empathy and Aggression Among Chinese Male Juvenile Delinquents. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2017; 48:316-326. [PMID: 27042859 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-016-0643-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The link between empathy and aggression is well documented; yet, studies examining potential mechanisms that explain this association are limited. In the present study, we tested the relation between empathy and aggression and examined both the mediating and moderating effects of moral disengagement on this relation among Chinese male juvenile delinquents. Three hundred and fifty-seven male juvenile delinquents from one Chinese juvenile correctional facility completed the interpersonal reactivity index, the moral disengagement scale and the aggression questionnaire. The results indicated that moral disengagement partially mediated the influence of empathy on aggression. Moreover, moral disengagement moderated the relation between empathy and aggression. Specifically, there was a significant negative relation between empathy and aggression at low levels of moral disengagement. However, at high levels of moral disengagement, the relation between empathy and aggression was non-significant. The significance and limitations of the results are discussed.
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20
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Moul C, Hawes DJ, Dadds MR. Mapping the developmental pathways of child conduct problems through the neurobiology of empathy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 91:34-50. [PMID: 28377098 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The notion that antisocial behavior reflects failures of empathy has a long history in the clinical literature, yet only recently has evidence emerged to support neuroscientific accounts of empathy and the development of child conduct problems. Much of this evidence has come from research into callous-unemotional traits, which correspond to the affective component of psychopathy and therefore encompass deficits in empathy within a broader cluster of emotional impairments. In this review we integrate current evidence concerning the biobehavioral bases of empathy and callous-unemotional traits, and discuss how it may inform models of heterogeneous subgroups of individuals with early onset conduct problems. We argue that somewhat distinct failures of empathy map onto distinct risk pathways to early onset conduct problems, and that these pathways may be best understood by examining empathy in terms of cognitive and environmental prerequisites and the various neurochemical systems implicated therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Moul
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, 2006, Australia.
| | - David J Hawes
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, 2006, Australia.
| | - Mark R Dadds
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, 2006, Australia.
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21
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Seeing but Not Feeling: Machiavellian Traits in Relation to Physiological Empathetic Responding and Life Experiences. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-016-0041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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22
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de Almeida RMM, Cabral JCC, Narvaes R. Behavioural, hormonal and neurobiological mechanisms of aggressive behaviour in human and nonhuman primates. Physiol Behav 2015; 143:121-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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