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Blankenstein NE, Bouwmeester S, van Haeringen SL, van Klink RT, van der Meule LM, Jansen LMC. Who is at risk? Applying the biopsychosocial model to explain non-violent and violent delinquency in youth. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 69:101428. [PMID: 39180930 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101428] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Research has highlighted the relevance of biological measures in explaining antisocial behavior, but the inclusion of such measures in clinical practice is lagging behind. According to the integrative biopsychosocial model, biological measures should be studied together with psychological and social-environmental factors. In this data-driven study, we applied this comprehensive model to explain non-violent and violent delinquency of 876 at-risk youth (715 male, 9-27 years), by combining nine biological (autonomic-nervous-system; endocrinological), nine psychological, and seven social-environmental measures. Using latent-class-regression analysis we uncovered four distinct psychologically-driven biological clusters, which differed in non-violent and violent delinquency-risk, moderated by social-environmental variables: a biological-psychopathic traits; low problem; high problem; and biological-reactive group. Individual vulnerabilities to (non-)violent delinquency depended on social-environmental context that differed between clusters. These findings highlight the importance of biological and psychological factors, in the context of social-environmental factors, in explaining (non)-violent delinquency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje E Blankenstein
- Section Youth at Risk, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands.
| | - Samantha Bouwmeester
- Out of the Box Plot, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Developmental Psychology, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, the Netherlands
| | - Sterre L van Haeringen
- Section Youth at Risk, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rowan T van Klink
- Section Youth at Risk, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lieke M van der Meule
- Section Youth at Risk, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lucres M C Jansen
- Section Youth at Risk, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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2
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Song Q, Kamliot DZ, Slonecker E, Musser ED, Klemfuss JZ. The interactive roles of narrative processing and emotion negativity/lability in relation to autonomic coordination. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14559. [PMID: 38459777 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14559] [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] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Emotion regulation (ER) is a multifaceted construct, involving behavioral, cognitive, and physiological processes. Although autonomic coordination is theorized to play a crucial role in adaptive functioning, few studies have examined how different individual and contextual factors together may contribute to such coordination. This study examined the joint influences of narrative processing and emotional negativity/lability (N/L) traits on the coordination of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in a sample of 112 children, ages 8-12 years (Mage = 10.15 years, SD = 1.33). Children completed a stress-induction task followed by an interview about the task. Children's trait-level N/L was assessed via parent-report on the Emotion Regulation Checklist. Narrative processing was assessed and coded based on children's narrative accounts of the event (i.e., causal coherence, overall emotional tone). Indexes of sympathetic (skin conductance response, SCR) and parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) functioning were derived from physiological data obtained during the interview. Results revealed that children's trait-level N/L and narrative processing of the stressful event interacted to predict the RSA-SCR correlation. Specifically, children who were high on either N/L or narrative causal coherence, but not both, demonstrated significant RSA-SCR correlation. Similarly, children with high N/L and negative-to-neutral narratives, as well as those with low N/L and neutral-to-positive narratives, exhibited significant RSA-SCR correlation. This work provides empirical evidence that narrative processing and trait N/L, together with RSA-SCR correlation, work in tandem to regulate emotional arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Song
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
| | - Deborah Z Kamliot
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Emily Slonecker
- Department of Psychology, Cabrini University, Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erica D Musser
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - J Zoe Klemfuss
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Murray-Close D, Lent MC, Sadri A, Buck C, Yates TM. Autonomic nervous system reactivity to emotion and childhood trajectories of relational and physical aggression. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:691-708. [PMID: 36734227 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942200150x] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) coordination in response to emotion in girls' and boys' development of relational (e.g., ignoring, excluding) and physical (e.g., hitting, kicking) aggression. Caregivers reported on children's relational and physical aggression at ages 6, 7, 8, and 10 years (N = 232, 50.4% girls, 46.6% Latinx). Sympathetic nervous system (assessed via pre-ejection period) and parasympathetic nervous system (assessed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia) reactivity were measured in response to video clips depicting fear, happiness, and sadness at age 7. Growth curve models indicated that ANS reactivity to sadness, but not to fear or happiness, was related to trajectories of relational aggression. In contrast, ANS reactivity to all three emotions was associated with trajectories of physical aggression. Effects differed across genders, indicating that distinct patterns of ANS reactivity to emotion may be involved in girls' and boys' development of aggression. Overall, these findings contribute to a growing literature documenting the role of ANS reactivity to emotion in aggressive behavior. Moreover, this study considers ANS reactivity to specific emotions, as related to both relational and physical aggression, and as differentially expressed among girls versus boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianna Murray-Close
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Maria C Lent
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Amanda Sadri
- Department of Psychology, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Casey Buck
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Tuppett M Yates
- Department of Psychology, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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Raine A, Choy O, Achenbach T, Liu J. High resting heart rate protects against the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior: a birth cohort study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1597-1603. [PMID: 37351661 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02247-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Although social influences have been identified that protect against the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior, there has been no prior research on biological protective factors. This study examines whether high resting heart rate may be one such factor. Resting heart rate was measured in 405 children of parents from a birth cohort, together with antisocial behavior in both the parent and the child. Children who were not antisocial, but had a parent high on antisocial behavior, had higher resting heart rates than all three other parent-child antisocial behavior groupings. Results withstood control for age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, and psychosocial adversity. Robustness checks confirmed these results. Findings are the first to identify a biological protective factor against the intergenerational transmission of childhood antisocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Raine
- Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, McNeil Building, Room 5473718 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6286, USA.
| | - Olivia Choy
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, 48 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639818, Singapore.
| | - Thomas Achenbach
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA
| | - Jianghong Liu
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Raine A, Brodrick L, Pardini D, Jennings JR, Waller R. Increased cardiac vagal tone in childhood-only, adolescent-only, and persistently antisocial teenagers: the mediating role of low heart rate. Psychol Med 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38469880 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724000552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac vagal tone is an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system functioning, and there is increasing interest in its relation to antisocial behavior. It is unclear however whether antisocial individuals are characterized by increased or decreased vagal tone, and whether increased vagal tone is the source of the low heart rate frequently reported in antisocial populations. METHODS Participants consisted of four groups of community-dwelling adolescent boys aged 15.7 years: (1) controls, (2) childhood-only antisocial, (3) adolescent-only antisocial, and (4) persistently antisocial. Heart rate and vagal tone were assessed in three different conditions: rest, cognitive stressor, and social stressor. RESULTS All three antisocial groups had both lower resting heart rates and increased vagal tone compared to the low antisocial controls across all three conditions. Low heart rate partially mediated the relationship between vagal tone and antisocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that increased vagal tone and reduced heart rate are relatively broad risk factors for different developmental forms of antisocial behavior. Findings are the first to implicate vagal tone as an explanatory factor in understanding heart rate - antisocial behavior relationships. Future experimental work using non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation or heart rate variability biofeedback is needed to more systematically evaluate this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Raine
- Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lia Brodrick
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Dustin Pardini
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - J Richard Jennings
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Rebecca Waller
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Lynch SF, Perlstein S, Ordway C, Jones C, Lembcke H, Waller R, Wagner NJ. Parasympathetic Nervous System Functioning Moderates the Associations between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Emotion Understanding Difficulties in Late Childhood. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:184. [PMID: 38397296 PMCID: PMC10887086 DOI: 10.3390/children11020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are characterized by low empathy, guilt, and prosociality, putting children at risk for lifespan antisocial behavior. Elevated CU traits have been linked separately to difficulties with emotion understanding (i.e., identifying emotional states of others) and disrupted parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning. However, no study has investigated how PNS functioning and emotion understanding are jointly related to CU traits. METHOD We explored associations between CU traits, emotion understanding, and PNS functioning (indexed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) among children aged 7-10 years old (n = 55). We also tested whether deficits in emotion understanding differ across specific emotions (i.e., fear, pain, happiness, anger). Each child's RSA was continuously recorded while they watched a film that included emotionally evocative social interactions. To assess emotion understanding, children identified emotions replayed in 1s animations of scenes from the film. Parents reported on child CU traits, conduct problems, and demographic information. RESULTS Higher CU traits were related to lower emotion understanding (β = -0.43, p = 0.03). PNS activity during the film moderated this association (β = -0.47, p < 0.001), such that CU traits were associated with lower emotion understanding among children with mean (B = -0.01, t = -2.46, p = 0.02) or high (i.e., 1 SD > M; B = -0.02, t = -3.00, p < 0.001) RSA levels during the film, but not among children with low RSA levels (i.e., 1 SD < M; B = 0.00, t = -0.53, p = 0.60). Moreover, we found that the observed moderated associations are driven by deficits in fear, specifically. CONCLUSIONS The link between poorer emotion understanding, fear understanding in particular, and CU traits was attenuated for children who demonstrated patterns of PNS functioning consistent with attentional engagement while viewing the emotion stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah F. Lynch
- Developmental Sciences, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.F.L.); (C.O.)
| | - Samantha Perlstein
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.P.); (C.J.)
| | - Cora Ordway
- Developmental Sciences, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.F.L.); (C.O.)
| | - Callie Jones
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.P.); (C.J.)
| | - Hanna Lembcke
- Department of General Psychology, University of Hagen, 58097 Hagen, Germany;
| | - Rebecca Waller
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.P.); (C.J.)
| | - Nicholas J. Wagner
- Developmental Sciences, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.F.L.); (C.O.)
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Bellato A, Sesso G, Milone A, Masi G, Cortese S. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Altered Autonomic Functioning in Youths With Emotional Dysregulation. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 63:216-230. [PMID: 36841327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically investigate if there is a significant association between markers of autonomic functioning and emotional dysregulation (ED) in children and adolescents. METHOD Based on a preregistered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42021239635), PubMed, Web of Knowledge/Science, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and APA PsycInfo databases were searched until April 21, 2021, to identify empirical studies reporting indices of autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in youths meeting DSM (version III, IV, IV-TR, 5 or 5-TR) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (version 9 or 10) criteria for any psychopathological/neurodevelopmental condition and assessed for ED with a validated scale. Eligible outcomes included correlation coefficients between ED and ANS measures or differences in ANS measures between youths with and without ED. Study quality was assessed with the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were used for data synthesis. RESULTS There were 12 studies (1,016 participants) included in the descriptive review and 9 studies (567 participants) included in the meta-analyses. No evidence of a significant association between ED and altered cardiac or electrodermal functioning was found. However, exploratory meta-regressions suggested a possible association between reduced resting-state cardiac vagal control and increased ED. CONCLUSION This study did not find evidence of an association between ED and autonomic dysfunction. However, preliminary evidence that reduced vagal control at rest might be a transdiagnostic marker of ED in young people was found. Additional studies comparing autonomic measures in youths with and without ED are needed and should also assess the effects of interventions for ED on ANS functioning. STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Is Autonomic Nervous System Functioning Atypical in Children and Adolescents With Emotional Dysregulation? https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; CRD42021239635.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bellato
- University of Nottingham Malaysia, Malaysia; King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Gianluca Sesso
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy; University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Samuele Cortese
- University of Southampton, United Kingdom; New York University Langone Health, New York
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Goulter N, Cooke EM, Zheng Y. Callous-Unemotional Traits in Adolescents' Daily Life: Associations with Affect and Emotional and Conduct Problems. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:51-63. [PMID: 37249705 PMCID: PMC10787886 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Intensive longitudinal methods (e.g., daily diary) inform understanding of dynamic processes by parsing within-person state-like fluctuations from stable between-person trait-like differences. In this exploratory study, we investigated whether self-reported callous-unemotional (CU) traits (callousness, uncaring) demonstrated daily fluctuations, as well as whether daily CU traits were associated with multiple forms of daily emotional and behavioral functioning. A sample of 99 adolescents (55.8% female; Mage = 14.60 years) provided baseline information and completed a naturalistic 30-day diary reporting on CU traits, positive and negative affect, and emotional and conduct problems in their daily lives. Dynamic structural equation modeling revealed that many CU traits items showed within-person autoregressive and cross-lagged links; however, there was substantial between-person variation in within-person fluctuations across items. At the subscale level, cross-day associations were observed between callousness and uncaring, conduct problems and uncaring, positive affect and callousness, negative affect and emotional problems, and emotional problems and negative affect. By harnessing intensive longitudinal data, our findings provide preliminary state-level evidence of CU traits, as well as functional information with regards to CU traits and emotional and behavioral problems in daily life. We consider the implications of our findings in terms of informing future CU traits intensive longitudinal evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Goulter
- School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.
| | - Eric M Cooke
- Criminal Justice Program, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, USA
| | - Yao Zheng
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Huang Y, Lü W. Nonlinear Moderation Effect of Vagal Regulation on the Link between Childhood Trauma and Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms. J Youth Adolesc 2024; 53:217-228. [PMID: 37689613 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01860-0] [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] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Childhood trauma is a leading early adverse environment that increases psychopathological symptoms. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) suppression to challenges as a marker of self-regulation is found to linearly moderate the link between early adverse experiences and psychopathological symptoms, but yielding mixed findings. The present study examined the relationships between childhood trauma and internalizing and externalizing symptoms via a 1.5-year longitudinal design and the quadratic moderation effect of RSA suppression on these relationships among adolescents. In November 2021 (T1), the final sample of 275 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 12.94, SDage = 0.79; 49.82% females) completed the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Achenbach Youth Self-Report-2001 and underwent a speech task during which their baseline RSA and stress exposure RSA were obtained. In June 2023 (T2), 251 adolescents completed the Achenbach Youth Self-Report-2001. Results showed that childhood trauma at T1 was positively correlated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T1 and T2. RSA suppression to stress quadratically moderated these associations, such that adolescents with moderate rather than higher or lower RSA suppression had the least internalizing and externalizing symptoms at T1 and T2 when exposed to childhood trauma. The findings suggest that moderate RSA suppression to stress as a marker of optimal vagal regulation buffers the risk of developmental psychopathology from early adverse experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yefei Huang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shaanxi Key Research Center for Children Mental and Behavior Health, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Lü
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shaanxi Key Research Center for Children Mental and Behavior Health, Xi'an, China.
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Kil H, Sibalis A, Colasante T, Jambon M, Acland E, Suri A, Malti T, Andrade BF. Physiological Dysregulation in Children With and Without Externalizing Difficulties: Novel Insights From Intensive Longitudinal Data. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:21-33. [PMID: 37266759 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Extant research on physiological dysregulation in children has focused on point-in-time measures and absolute mean levels of physiology. However, these methods do not capture dynamic fluctuations in physiology that characterize dysregulation. In the present work, we aimed to assess whether physiological dysregulation as captured by fluctuations rather than mean levels would differentiate between children with and without clinically elevated levels of externalizing behavior. As an exploratory approach, we examined fluctuations in children's physiological responses (i.e., root mean square of successive differences [RMSSD] in beat-to-beat heart rate intervals) to social transgression scenarios across 15 short-term measurement occasions (5-second bins). Controlling for mean RMSSD, as well as emotional and cognitive correlates of externalizing behavior (i.e., sympathy and inhibitory control), children with externalizing difficulties exhibited greater within-person fluctuations in RMSSD (i.e., physiological dysregulation) compared to children without externalizing difficulties. The present findings provide preliminary support for using intensive longitudinal data comprised of short-term physiological measurements and point to the centrality of within-child physiological variability as a marker of dysregulation, particularly amongst children with externalizing disorders for whom self-regulation is a core challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hali Kil
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
- McCain Centre for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Annabel Sibalis
- McCain Centre for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tyler Colasante
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, & Policy (CCDMP), University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
| | - Marc Jambon
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Erinn Acland
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anjali Suri
- McCain Centre for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tina Malti
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, & Policy (CCDMP), University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada
| | - Brendan F Andrade
- McCain Centre for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Grasser LR, Erjo T, Goodwin MS, Naim R, German RE, White J, Cullins L, Tseng WL, Stoddard J, Brotman MA. Can peripheral psychophysiological markers predict response to exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy in youth with severely impairing irritability? A study protocol. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:926. [PMID: 38082431 PMCID: PMC10712194 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05421-4] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritability, an increased proneness to anger, is a primary reason youth present for psychiatric care. While initial evidence supports the efficacy of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth with clinically impairing irritability, treatment mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we propose to measure peripheral psychophysiological indicators of arousal-heart rate (HR)/electrodermal activity (EDA)-and regulation-heart rate variability (HRV)-during exposures to anger-inducing stimuli as potential predictors of treatment efficacy. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether in-situ biosensing data provides peripheral physiological indicators of in-session response to exposures. METHODS Blood volume pulse (BVP; from which HR and HRV canl be derived) and EDA will be collected ambulatorily using the Empatica EmbracePlus from 40 youth (all genders; ages 8-17) undergoing six in-person exposure treatment sessions, as part of a multiple-baseline trial of exposure-based CBT for clinically impairing irritability. Clinical ratings of irritability will be conducted at baseline, weekly throughout treatment, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups via the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) and the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI; clinician-, parent-, and child-report). Multilevel modeling will be used to assess within- and between-person changes in physiological arousal and regulation throughout exposure-based CBT and to determine whether individual differences are predictive of treatment response. DISCUSSION This study protocol leverages a wearable biosensor (Empatica) to continuously record HR/HRV (derived from BVP) and EDA during in-person exposure sessions for youth with clinically impairing irritability. Here, the goal is to identify changes in physiological arousal (EDA, HR) and regulation (HRV) over the course of treatment in tandem with changes in clinical symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION The participants in this study come from an overarching clinical trial (trial registration numbers: NCT02531893 first registered on 8/25/2015; last updated on 8/25/2023). The research project and all related materials were submitted and approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Ruvolo Grasser
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Trinity Erjo
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew S Goodwin
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reut Naim
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ramaris E German
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamell White
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Cullins
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wan-Ling Tseng
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joel Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Melissa A Brotman
- Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit, Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Byrd AL, Frigoletto OA, Vine V, Vanwoerden S, Jennings JR, Zalewski M, Stepp SD. Maternal invalidation and child RSA reactivity to frustration interact to predict teacher-reported aggression among at-risk preschoolers. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6366-6375. [PMID: 37743837 PMCID: PMC10520353 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003713] [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: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggression is a transdiagnostic indicator of risk and represents one of the most common reasons children are referred for mental health treatment. Theory and research highlight the impact of maternal invalidation on child aggression and suggest that its influence may vary based on differences in child physiological reactivity. Moreover, the interaction between these risk factors may be particularly pronounced among children of mothers with emotion regulation (ER) difficulties. The current study examined the independent and interactive effects of maternal invalidation and child physiological reactivity to frustration on teacher-reported aggression in an at-risk sample of preschool children. METHOD Participants included 77 mothers (Mage = 33.17 years, s.d. = 4.83; 35% racial/ethnic minority) and their children (Mage = 42.48 months; s.d. = 3.78; 56% female; 47% racial/ethnic minority). Groups of mothers with and without clinician-rated ER difficulties reported on maternal invalidation, and child respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was assessed continuously during a frustration task as an indicator of physiological reactivity. Teachers or daycare providers reported on child aggression. RESULTS Results demonstrated positive associations between maternal ER difficulties and both maternal invalidation and child RSA reactivity to frustration. As expected, the interaction between maternal invalidation and child RSA reactivity was significant, such that higher maternal invalidation and greater child RSA reactivity to frustration predicted more aggression in a daycare or preschool setting. Importantly, this effect was demonstrated while controlling for demographic covariates and baseline RSA. CONCLUSIONS Findings are in line with diathesis-stress and biosocial models of risk and point to multiple targets for prevention and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Byrd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | | | - Vera Vine
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Salome Vanwoerden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - J. Richard Jennings
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Maureen Zalewski
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Stepp
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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13
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Cubillo A, Tkalcec A, Oldenhof H, Unternaehrer E, Raschle N, Kohls G, Nauta-Jansen L, Hervas A, Fernandez-Rivas A, Konrad K, Popma A, Freitag C, de Brito S, Fairchild G, Stadler C. Linking heart rate variability to psychological health and brain structure in adolescents with and without conduct disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1101064. [PMID: 37441149 PMCID: PMC10333527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Heart rate variability (HRV) measures have been suggested in healthy individuals as a potential index of self-regulation skills, which include both cognitive and emotion regulation aspects. Studies in patients with a range of psychiatric disorders have however mostly focused on the potential association between abnormally low HRV at rest and specifically emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation deficits have been reported in patients with Conduct Disorder (CD) however, the association between these emotion regulation deficits and HRV measures has yet to be fully understood. This study investigates (i) the specificity of the association between HRV and emotion regulation skills in adolescents with and without CD and (ii) the association between HRV and grey matter brain volumes in key areas of the central autonomic network which are involved in self-regulation processes, such as insula, lateral/medial prefrontal cortices or amygdala. Methods Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) measures of HRV were collected from adolescents aged between 9-18 years (693 CD (427F)/753 typically developing youth (TD) (500F)), as part of a European multi-site project (FemNAT-CD). The Inverse Efficiency Score, a speed-accuracy trade-off measure, was calculated to assess emotion and cognitive regulation abilities during an Emotional Go/NoGo task. The association between RSA and task performance was tested using multilevel regression models. T1-weighted structural MRI data were included for a subset of 577 participants (257 CD (125F); 320 TD (186F)). The CerebroMatic toolbox was used to create customised Tissue Probability Maps and DARTEL templates, and CAT12 to segment brain images, followed by a 2 × 2 (sex × group) full factorial ANOVA with RSA as regressor of interest. Results There were no significant associations between RSA and task performance, neither during emotion regulation nor during cognitive regulation trials. RSA was however positively correlated with regional grey matter volume in the left insula (pFWE = 0.011) across all subjects. Conclusion RSA was related to increased grey matter volume in the left insula across all subjects. Our results thus suggest that low RSA at rest might be a contributing or predisposing factor for potential self-regulation difficulties. Given the insula's role in both emotional and cognitive regulation processes, these brain structural differences might impact either of those.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cubillo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Tkalcec
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Helena Oldenhof
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nora Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lucres Nauta-Jansen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Amaia Hervas
- Hospital Universitario Mutua Terrassa, IGAIN, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aranzazu Fernandez-Rivas
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- RWTH Aachen University & JARA-Brain Institute, Aachen, Germany
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christine Freitag
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Graeme Fairchild
- Developmental Psychopathology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (research section), University Psychiatric Clinics, Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Karwatowska L, Frach L, Schoeler T, Tielbeek JJ, Murray J, de Geus E, Viding E, Pingault JB. Resting heart rate and antisocial behaviour: a Mendelian randomisation study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10212. [PMID: 37353630 PMCID: PMC10290077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37123-y] [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] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Observational studies frequently report phenotypic associations between low resting heart rate (RHR) and higher levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB), although it remains unclear whether this relationship reflects causality. To triangulate evidence, we conducted two-sample univariable Mendelian randomisation (MR), multivariable MR and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) analyses. Genetic data were accessed from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for RHR (n = 458,835) and ASB (n = 85,359) for the univariable analyses, along with a third GWAS for heart rate variability (HRV; n = 53,174) for all other analyses. Genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8) single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with RHR (n = 278) were selected as instrumental variables and the outcome was a composite measure of ASB. No causal association was observed between RHR and ASB (BIVW = - 0.0004, p = 0.841). The multivariable MR analyses including RHR and HRV also suggested no causal associations (BIVW = 0.016, p = 0.914) and no genetic correlations between the heart rate measures and ASB were observed using LDSC (rg = 0.057, p = 0.169). Sensitivity analyses suggested that our results are not likely to be affected by heterogeneity, pleiotropic effects, or reverse causation. These findings suggest that individual differences in autonomic nervous system functioning indexed by RHR are not likely to directly contribute to the development of ASB. Therefore, previously observed associations between RHR and ASB may arise from confounding, reverse causation, and/or additional study characteristics. Further causally informative longitudinal research is required to confirm our findings, and caution should be applied when using measures of RHR in interventions targeting ASB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Karwatowska
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Leonard Frach
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tabea Schoeler
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jorim J Tielbeek
- Department of Complex Trait Genomics, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph Murray
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Eco de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Essi Viding
- Developmental Risk & Resilience Unit, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jean-Baptiste Pingault
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
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15
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Blankenstein NE, de Rooij M, van Ginkel J, Wilderjans TF, de Ruigh EL, Oldenhof HC, Zijlmans J, Jambroes T, Platje E, de Vries-Bouw M, Branje S, Meeus WHJ, Vermeiren RRJM, Popma A, Jansen LMC. Neurobiological correlates of antisociality across adolescence and young adulthood: a multi-sample, multi-method study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1834-1849. [PMID: 34446120 PMCID: PMC10106306 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antisociality across adolescence and young adulthood puts individuals at high risk of developing a variety of problems. Prior research has linked antisociality to autonomic nervous system and endocrinological functioning. However, there is large heterogeneity in antisocial behaviors, and these neurobiological measures are rarely studied conjointly, limited to small specific studies with narrow age ranges, and yield mixed findings due to the type of behavior examined. METHODS We harmonized data from 1489 participants (9-27 years, 67% male), from six heterogeneous samples. In the resulting dataset, we tested relations between distinct dimensions of antisociality and heart rate, pre-ejection period (PEP), respiratory sinus arrhythmia, respiration rate, skin conductance levels, testosterone, basal cortisol, and the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and test the role of age throughout adolescence and young adulthood. RESULTS Three dimensions of antisociality were uncovered: 'callous-unemotional (CU)/manipulative traits', 'intentional aggression/conduct', and 'reactivity/impulsivity/irritability'. Shorter PEPs and higher testosterone were related to CU/manipulative traits, and a higher CAR is related to both CU/manipulative traits and intentional aggression/conduct. These effects were stable across age. CONCLUSIONS Across a heterogeneous sample and consistent across development, the CAR may be a valuable measure to link to CU/manipulative traits and intentional aggression, while sympathetic arousal and testosterone are additionally valuable to understand CU/manipulative traits. Together, these findings deepen our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying different components of antisociality. Finally, we illustrate the potential of using current statistical techniques for combining multiple datasets to draw robust conclusions about biobehavioral associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje E. Blankenstein
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark de Rooij
- Unit of Methodology and Statistics, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joost van Ginkel
- Unit of Methodology and Statistics, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom F. Wilderjans
- Unit of Methodology and Statistics, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Research Group of Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Esther L. de Ruigh
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Helena C. Oldenhof
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Josjan Zijlmans
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tijs Jambroes
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Susan Branje
- Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wim H. J. Meeus
- Department of Youth and Family, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lucres M. C. Jansen
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Kleberg JL, Frick MA, Brocki KC. Eye-movement indices of arousal predict ADHD and comorbid externalizing symptoms over a 2-year period. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4767. [PMID: 36959373 PMCID: PMC10036637 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31697-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) follows a variable course across childhood. Disrupted arousal has been hypothesized to underlie core symptoms as well as comorbid internalizing and externalizing conditions. The current study examined eye-movement and pupil-dilation metrics indexing arousal as longitudinal predictors of ADHD, externalizing, and internalizing symptoms over a 2-year period. Participants aged 8-13 years (N = 54, 30% with a diagnosis of ADHD) completed a modified version of the gap-overlap task including arousal-inducing auditory warning signals. Parents rated symptoms at the time of testing and at 2 years follow-up. Phasic alerting (reaction-time reduction after alerting cues) is an index of arousal. Here, larger phasic alerting effects predicted higher ADHD-symptom levels 2 years later. Blunted pupil-dilation responses predicted externalizing symptoms at T2, controlling for ADHD and externalizing at T1. Our results support the theory that ADHD is associated with altered arousal. Blunted arousal reactivity may be a longitudinal risk factor for externalizing problems in children with ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Lundin Kleberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institute, Gävlegatan 22, 113 33, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Matilda A Frick
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin C Brocki
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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17
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Colasante T, Galarneau E, Speidel R, Suri A, Acland E, Jambon M, Andrade BF, Malti T. Autonomic Arousal, Ethical Guilt, and Externalizing Behavior in Childhood: A Clinical Extension and Replication. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:427-440. [PMID: 36370222 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00988-0] [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: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Lower autonomic arousal is associated with higher externalizing behavior in childhood but the mechanisms explaining this link are still debated. One possibility is that lower autonomic arousal makes it difficult for children to anticipate or express social emotions, such as ethical guilt rooted in concern for others, thereby increasing their likelihood of externalizing behavior. However, evidence for this social-emotional hypothesis has been limited to community samples. The present study included ethnically diverse samples of 150 typically developing children (Mage = 8.01 years; 50% girls) and 62 children referred for clinically elevated externalizing behavior (Mage = 9.16 years; 16% girls; N = 212). Caregivers reported children's externalizing behavior. Children's respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was measured as an indicator of parasympathetic activity in response to hypothetical vignettes depicting externalizing behavior. Children's ethical guilt was coded from semi-structured interviews following each vignette. Greater RSA increases (indicating a low-arousal, rest-and-digest response) were associated with lower ethical guilt. Lower ethical guilt was associated with higher externalizing behavior. A significant indirect effect showed that RSA increases were associated with higher externalizing behavior through relative lapses in ethical guilt. Results were consistent across and within the community and clinical samples. Theoretical and practical implications for clinically elevated externalizing behavior are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Colasante
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, and Policy, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Rd, L5L 1C6, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Emma Galarneau
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, and Policy, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Rd, L5L 1C6, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth Speidel
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, and Policy, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Rd, L5L 1C6, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Anjali Suri
- Child, Youth and Emerging Adult Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Erinn Acland
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marc Jambon
- Department of Psychology, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Brendan F Andrade
- Child, Youth and Emerging Adult Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tina Malti
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Child Development, Mental Health, and Policy, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Rd, L5L 1C6, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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18
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Fanti KA, Konikkou K, Georgiou G, Petridou M, Demetriou C, Soursou G, Kyranides MN. Physiological reactivity to fear moderates the relation between parenting distress with conduct and prosocial behaviors. Child Dev 2023; 94:363-379. [PMID: 36217890 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether the associations between parental distress with conduct problems (CPs) and prosocial behaviors (PBs) are moderated by children's skin conductance (SC) and heart rate (HR) reactivity to fear. Participants were 147 Greek-Cypriot children (Mage = 7.30, 44.2% girls), selected from a larger screening sample (data were collected from 2015 to 2018). Longitudinal associations suggested that children with high HR reactivity to fear were more likely to display PB, whereas those with low SC reactivity were more likely to engage in CP behaviors. In contrast, interaction effects suggested that children high on SC reactivity to fear were more susceptible to the effects of parental distress, as indicated by their higher vulnerability to engage in CP (cross-sectionally) behaviors and their lower scores on PB (cross-sectionally and longitudinally).
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19
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Husby SM, Skalická V, Li Z, Belsky J, Wichstrøm L. Reciprocal Relations Between Conflicted Student-teacher Relationship and Children's Behavior Problems: Within-person Analyses from Norway and the USA. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:331-342. [PMID: 36301413 PMCID: PMC9908624 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00968-4] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that conflicted student-teacher relationships may increase behavior problems in children and vice-versa, but this may be due to confounding. We therefore analyzed their relation applying a within-person approach that adjusts for all time-invariant confounding effects, involving samples from Norway (n = 964, 50.9% females) and the USA (n = 1,150, 48.3% females) followed from age 4-12 years with similar measures. Increased parent-reported behavior problems forecasted increased student-teacher conflict to a similar extent in both countries (β = 0.07, p = .010), whereas teacher-reported behavior problems predicted increased student-teacher conflict more strongly in Norway (β = 0.14, p = .001) than in the US (β = 0.08, p = .050). Increased teacher-child conflict also predicted increased parent-reported (β = 0.07, p = .010), but not teacher-reported, behavior problems in both countries. Findings underscore the reciprocal relation between behavior problems and a conflictual student-teacher relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silje Merethe Husby
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. .,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Věra Skalická
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Zhi Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jay Belsky
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Lars Wichstrøm
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, St. Olav’s Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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20
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Bufo MR, Guidotti M, De Faria C, Mofid Y, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Wardak C, Aguillon-Hernandez N. Autonomic tone in children and adults: Pupillary, electrodermal and cardiac activity at rest. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 180:68-78. [PMID: 35914548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.07.009] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Considering the suspected involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in several neurodevelopmental disorders, a description of its tonus in typical populations and of its maturation between childhood and adulthood is necessary. We aimed to arrive at a better understanding of the maturation of the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) tonus by comparing children and adults at rest, via recordings of multiple ANS indices. We recorded simultaneously pupil diameter, electrodermal activity (EDA) and cardiac activity (RR interval and HRV: heart rate variability) in 29 children (6-12 years old) and 30 adults (20-42 years old) during a 5-min rest period. Children exhibited lower RR intervals, higher LF peak frequencies, and lower LF/HF (low frequency/high frequency) ratios compared to adults. Children also produced more spontaneous EDA peaks, reflected in a larger EDA AUC (area under the curve), in comparison with adults. Finally, children displayed a larger median pupil diameter and a higher pupillary hippus frequency than adults. Our results converged towards higher SNS and PNS tones in children compared to adults. Childhood would thus be characterized by a high autonomic tone, possibly reflecting a physiological state compatible with developmental acquisitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Bufo
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Marco Guidotti
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France; Centre universitaire de pédopsychiatrie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France; Centre Hospitalier du Chinonais, Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt, France
| | - Cindie De Faria
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Yassine Mofid
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France; Centre universitaire de pédopsychiatrie, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Claire Wardak
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
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21
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Lin X, He T, Heath M, Chi P, Hinshaw S. A Systematic Review of Multiple Family Factors Associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10866. [PMID: 36078582 PMCID: PMC9517877 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a recurrent pattern of angry/irritable emotional lability, argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. Previous studies indicated that ODD typically might originate within a maladaptive family environment, or was at least maintained within such an environment. As such, the present review summarized pertinent research from the last 20 years that focused on the pathways connecting family risk factors to the development of child ODD symptoms. A systematic search of electronic databases was completed in August 2020, resulting in the inclusion of 62 studies in the review. The review established a multi-level framework to describe the mechanisms underlying the pathway from familial factors to ODD psychopathological symptoms: (a) the system level that is affected by the family's socioeconomic status and family dysfunction; (b) the dyadic level that is affected by conflict within the marital dyad and parent-child interactions; and (c) the individual level that is affected by parent and child factors. Additionally, from the perspective of family systems theory, we pay special attention to the interactions among and between the various levels of the pathway (moderation and mediation) that might be associated with the occurrence and severity of ODD symptoms. Considering future prevention and intervention efforts, this three-level model emphasizes the necessity of focusing on familial risk factors at multiple levels and the mechanisms underlying the proposed pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyun Lin
- School of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ting He
- School of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Melissa Heath
- McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Peilian Chi
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macau 999078, China
| | - Stephen Hinshaw
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Mikolajewski AJ, Scheeringa MS. Links between Oppositional Defiant Disorder Dimensions, Psychophysiology, and Interpersonal versus Non-interpersonal Trauma. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2022; 44:261-275. [PMID: 35669529 PMCID: PMC9165763 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-021-09930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is not well understood but appears to have both biologically-based roots and can develop following adverse experiences. The current study is the first to examine the interaction between biologically-based factors and type of trauma experience (i.e., interpersonal and non-interpersonal) and associations with ODD. The psychophysiological factors included baseline resting heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and cortisol. ODD was measured as two dimensions of irritable and defiant/vindictive. The sample included 330 children, 3-7 years-old, oversampled for a history of trauma. Results showed the interactions between baseline physiological arousal variables and trauma type in predicting ODD dimensions were not supported. However, the baseline RSA by trauma interaction was a significant predictor of defiance/vindictiveness among boys, but not girls, when interpersonal trauma was compared to controls. Several other gender differences emerged. Among boys, both interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma were predictive of ODD dimensions; however, among girls, non-interpersonal trauma was not. Among girls, there was a significant negative bivariate relationship between baseline cortisol and irritability. Also, when the sample was restricted to those with interpersonal trauma only and controls, baseline RSA was negatively associated with irritability in girls only (controlling for trauma). Finally, retrospective reports revealed that children who met criteria for ODD diagnosis and experienced interpersonal trauma were more likely to exhibit ODD symptoms prior to their trauma compared to those who experienced non-interpersonal trauma. Results are discussed in the context of previous mixed findings, and avenues for future research are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Mikolajewski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine
| | - Michael S Scheeringa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine
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Aggensteiner PM, Holz NE, Kaiser A, Pernt PM, Böttinger B, Baumeister S, Werhahn J, Walitza S, Banaschewski T, Brandeis D. Exploring psychophysiological indices of disruptive behavior disorder and their subtypes of aggression. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 175:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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ter Harmsel JF, van Dongen JDM, Zijlmans J, van der Pol TM, Marhe R, Popma A. Neurobiological Responses towards Stimuli Depicting Aggressive Interactions in Delinquent Young Adults and Controls: No Relation to Reactive and Proactive Aggression. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020124. [PMID: 35203888 PMCID: PMC8869761 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurobiological measures underlying aggressive behavior have gained attention due to their potential to inform risk assessment and treatment interventions. Aberrations in responsivity of the autonomic nervous system and electrophysiological responses to arousal-inducing stimuli have been related to emotional dysregulation and aggressive behavior. However, studies have often been performed in community samples, using tasks that induce arousal but not specifically depict aggression. In this study, we examined differences in psychophysiological (i.e., heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, skin conductance level) and electrophysiological responses (i.e., P3, late positive potential, mu suppression) to aggressive versus neutral scenes in a sample of 118 delinquent young adults and 25 controls (all male, aged 18–27). With respect to group differences, we only found significant higher SCL reactivity during the task in the delinquent group compared to controls, but this was irrespective of condition (aggressive and neutral interactions). Within the delinquent group, we also examined associations between the neurobiological measures and reactive and proactive aggression. No significant associations were found. Therefore, although we found some indication of emotional dysregulation in these delinquent young adults, future studies should further elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying emotional dysregulation in relation to different types of aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna F. ter Harmsel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.Z.); (T.M.v.d.P.); (R.M.); (A.P.)
- Forensic Mental Health Care, Inforsa, 1059 GL Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (J.F.t.H.); (J.D.M.v.D.)
| | - Josanne D. M. van Dongen
- Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (J.F.t.H.); (J.D.M.v.D.)
| | - Josjan Zijlmans
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.Z.); (T.M.v.d.P.); (R.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Thimo M. van der Pol
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.Z.); (T.M.v.d.P.); (R.M.); (A.P.)
- Forensic Mental Health Care, Inforsa, 1059 GL Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Research and Quality of Care, ARKIN Mental Health Institute, 1033 NN Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reshmi Marhe
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.Z.); (T.M.v.d.P.); (R.M.); (A.P.)
- Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.Z.); (T.M.v.d.P.); (R.M.); (A.P.)
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25
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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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26
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Centifanti LCM, Gillespie SM, Thomson ND. Skin Conductance Responses to a Discrete Threat in Virtual Reality: Associations with Psychopathy and Anxiety. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2022; 44:39-50. [PMID: 35221465 PMCID: PMC8813790 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-021-09943-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
People with high levels of psychopathic traits are often described as fearless and lacking in emotional depth, particularly when evaluating threats in their environments. Skin conductance responsivity (SCR) to negative emotional stimuli represents a robust autonomic correlate of conduct problem behavior in children (Fanti et al., in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 100, 98-107, 2019). However, studies that have examined threat-related processing in youth with conduct problems have tended to use a variety of negative stimuli that might induce various and unspecific negative emotions. Few studies have taken in to account the moderating effects of anxiety on the relationship of distinct psychopathic traits (e.g., narcissism, callousness, impulsivity) with SCR to a fear inducing stimulus. In this study, we examined SCR to a virtual reality rollercoaster drop - that is, a discrete fear inducing event - in a sample of 75 youths (61 males; M = 14 years, SD = 1.4) enrolled in a non-mainstream school. The rollercoaster drop was used to more clearly examine an event-related response to a discrete threat, rather than examining SCR throughout the rollercoaster ride. We used the teacher-reported Antisocial Process Screening Device (Frick & Hare, in Antisocial process screening device: APSD. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems, 2001) to examine the relations of distinct psychopathic traits with SCR and self-reported anxiety. Lower anxiety was associated with higher callousness, but only in youths with low SCR to discrete threat. These findings suggest that fear and anxiety show complex and interactive relations with distinct psychopathic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna C M Centifanti
- Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA UK
| | - Steven M Gillespie
- Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA UK
| | - Nicholas D Thomson
- Departments of Surgery and Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
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Conduct problems among children in low-income, urban neighborhoods: A developmental psychopathology- and RDoC-informed approach. Dev Psychopathol 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421001103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractConduct problems are associated with numerous negative long-term psychosocial sequelae and are among the most frequent referrals for children's mental health services. Youth residing in low-income, urban communities are at increased risk for conduct problems, but not all youth in these environments develop conduct problems, suggesting heterogeneity in risk and resilience processes and developmental pathways. The present study used a developmental psychopathology- and Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-informed approach for conceptualizing risk and resilience for conduct problems among children from low-income, urban neighborhoods. Participants were 104 children (M = 9.93 ± 1.22 years; 50% male; 96% African American, 4% Latinx). We assessed four constructs reflecting cognitive and neurobiological processes associated with conduct problems using multiple levels of analysis and informants: autonomic nervous system reactivity, limbic system/orbitofrontal cortical functioning, dorsolateral prefrontal cortical functioning, and conduct problems. Latent profile analysis identified four profiles: typically developing (TD, n = 34); teacher-reported conduct problems (TCP, n = 14); emotion processing (EP, n = 27); and emotion expression recognition (EER, n = 29). External validation analyses demonstrated that profiles differed on various indices of conduct problems in expected ways. The EP profile exhibited lower levels of emotional lability and callous–unemotional behaviors, and higher levels of prosocial behavior. The TD profile demonstrated elevated emotional lability. Implications for etiological and intervention models are presented.
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Georgiou G, Fanti KA. Physiological reactivity in children with high callous-unemotional and autistic traits: investigating unique and interactive effects. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:1709-1722. [PMID: 32944836 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Empathy deficits are a hallmark sign of both callous-unemotional (CU) and autistic traits. Despite these similarities, prior work did not investigate how these traits relate to physiological reactivity (heart rate and skin conductance) in response to emotional or empathy-eliciting stimuli. Understanding the physiological mechanisms associated with emotional processing deficits among individuals with autistic or CU traits is a critical step for improving both assessment and interventions. The current study was designed to investigate the unique and interactive contributions of CU and autistic traits in predicting physiological reactivity. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC) activity in response to sad, fearful and happy emotional videos were collected form young children. Participants for the current study (n = 163; Mage = 7.30, SD= 1.42; 44.2% girls) were recruited from a larger community sample of 1652 children and were selected based on their levels of empathy. Regression analysis revealed that boys, but not girls, with high levels of CU traits exhibited low SC reactivity during sad and fearful stimuli. No significant associations were revealed for autistic traits. Finally, an interesting interaction effect suggested that CU traits were associated with stronger HR reactivity to fear stimuli only when autistic traits were low. The identified differences in physiological reactivity can inform etiological hypothesis by providing evidence for the underlying physiological mechanisms related to emotional processing among children high in CU traits but not in autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgos Georgiou
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, European University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 22006, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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29
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Autonomic Nervous System Inflexibility During Parent-child Interactions is Related to Callous-unemotional Traits in Youth Aged 10-14 Years Old. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2021; 49:1581-1592. [PMID: 34313902 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-021-00849-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Youth with callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at high risk for aggression and antisocial behavior. Extant literature suggests that CU traits are related to abnormal autonomic responses to negatively-valenced emotional stimuli, although few studies have tested autonomic responding specifically during social interactions. To address this knowledge gap, the current study tested whether CU traits were related to autonomic activity, assessed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), during several parent-child interaction tasks designed to provoke negative emotion. The sample was 162 clinically referred youth (M age = 12.03, SD = .92; 47% female). Using piecewise latent growth models, we estimated individual differences in RSA during three semi-structured social interaction tasks (reading aloud to a parent and research assistant; a recovery period from the reading task; and a parent-child conflict discussion) and tested whether CU traits were related to patterns of RSA responding across tasks. Overall, youth showed expected RSA decreases during the reading period, increases in RSA during recovery, and further decreases during the conflict discussion. However, youth with clinically-elevated CU traits had a different pattern of RSA change across tasks, such that CU traits were related to significantly less RSA change during reading and recovery. Findings suggest that less RSA engagement during social interactions and less RSA recovery may be a biomarker of CU traits. Future research is needed to examine whether this inflexibility contributes to the development of CU traits beginning early in childhood.
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30
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Nakkas C, Bösch M, LaMarca R, Wyss T, Annen H, Brand S. Self-Reported Emotion Regulation Is Associated With Response to Test of Cardiac Vagal Function. J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Parasympathetic function and emotional self-regulation (ESR) share neuroanatomic structures. Based on Porges’ Polyvagal Theory and the Neurovisceral Integration Model (NIM), we compared vagally mediated heart-rate variability (vmHRV) with psychometrically assessed ESR. We hypothesized that vmHRV and ESR would be associated during rest, a vagal function test, and recovery from that test. A significant association would justify the psychometric measuring of parasympathetic health, which is less burdensome than its psychophysiological assessment. Two hundred thirteen healthy males (aged: 18–26 years, M = 20.29 years) took part in the present study. They completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and underwent the Cold Face Test (CFT) for 4 min wearing ambulatory electrocardiograms. A High frequency (HF) band was used as a measure of vmHRV before, during, and after the CFT. Associations between the HF band and ESR were analyzed with partial rank correlations. There was no significant association between ERQ scores and the response to the CFT itself. But there was an almost significant association between the ERQ scale Cognitive Appraisal and baseline vmHRV, and a significant association between Cognitive Appraisal and cardiac recovery from the CFT, that is, participants with higher scores on that ESR scale revealed a tendency to exhibit greater vmHRV during baseline and they exhibited greater vagal withdrawal during recovery from the CFT. Cognitive appraisal as a psychometrically assessed emotion regulatory process was reflected in a more flexible parasympathetic activity (i.e., better cardiac vagal health) during recovery from an exclusively physiological stressor. This lends convergent validity to self-reported emotion regulation, and justification for its use as a measure of ESR as a trait, offering further support for the Polyvagal Theory and NIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Nakkas
- Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports, Psychological-Pedagogical Service of the Swiss Armed Forces (PPD A), Thun, Switzerland
| | - Maria Bösch
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Praxis Pramstaller, Uetikon am See, Switzerland
| | - Roberto LaMarca
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinica Holistica Engiadina SA, Susch, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wyss
- Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM, Magglingen, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Annen
- Department of Military Psychology Studies, Military Academy at ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Serge Brand
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
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31
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Disruptive Behavior Disorders and Psychopathic Traits in Adolescents: Empathy-Related Responses to Witnessing Animal Distress. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-021-09891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCruelty to animals is a symptom of conduct disorder and associated with psychopathic traits in childhood. One of the factors thought to contribute to animal cruelty is reduced empathy and concern for the well-being of animals. A first aim of this study was to examine empathy towards animals in distress in male adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) and high or low psychopathic traits, and normal controls (NC). Psychopathic traits were assessed by the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD). Respondents were exposed to a short film clip depicting a baby bear in distress. Heart rate (HR) responses were monitored during film exposure. Afterwards, respondents were asked to report the emotions they had observed and experienced. Contrary to expectations based on research on human empathy, no group differences were found in empathy-related responses to witnessing animal distress. Both DBD groups and normal controls observed equal levels of distress in the baby bear, experienced as much empathy and sympathy, and showed similar levels of HR reduction during the most dramatic scene. Results suggest that empathy for humans does not generalize to animals, and vice versa. A second aim was to examine the associations between empathy-related responses and the broad concept of psychopathy as well as its dimensions. The relationships were different and for the most part reversed in the NC and DBD groups. Group proved to be an important moderating factor, indicating that results obtained within a sample of healthy adolescents do not generalize to adolescents with DBD, and vice versa.
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32
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Childhood conduct problems are associated with reduced white matter fibre density and morphology. J Affect Disord 2021; 281:638-645. [PMID: 33239244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Childhood conduct problems are an important public health issue as these children are at-risk of adverse outcomes. Studies using diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) have found that conduct problems in adults are characterised by abnormal white-matter microstructure within a range of white matter pathways underpinning socio-emotional processing, while evidence within children and adolescents has been less conclusive based on non-specific diffusion tensor imaging metrics. Fixel-based analysis (FBA) provides measures of fibre density and morphology that are more sensitive to developmental changes in white matter microstructure. The current study used FBA to investigate whether childhood conduct problems were related both cross-sectionally and longitudinally to microstructural alterations within the fornix, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and the uncinate fasciculus (UF). dMRI data was obtained for 130 children across two time-points in a community sample with high levels of externalising difficulties (age: time-point 1 = 9.47 - 11.86 years, time-point 2 = 10.67 -13.45 years). Conduct problems were indexed at each time-point using the Conduct Problems subscale of the parent-informant Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Conduct problems were related to lower fibre density in the fornix at both time-points, and in the ILF at time-point 2. We also observed lower fibre cross-section in the UF at time-point 1. The change in conduct problems did not predict longitudinal changes in white-matter microstructure across time-points. The current study suggests that childhood conduct problems are related to reduced fibre-specific microstructure within white matter fibre pathways implicated in socio-emotional functioning.
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33
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Callous-unemotional traits and fearlessness: A cardiovascular psychophysiological perspective in two adolescent samples using virtual reality. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 32:803-815. [PMID: 31455440 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579419001196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There has been a longstanding debate about the link between callous-unemotional traits and fearlessness. However, biological evidence for a relationship in adolescents is lacking. Using two adolescent samples, we measured emotional reactivity and cardiac measures of sympathetic (pre-ejection period) and parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) reactivity during 3D TV and virtual reality fear induction. Study 1 included 62 community adolescents from a stratified sample. Study 2 included 60 adolescents from Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties schools. Results were consistent across both studies. Adolescents with high callous-unemotional traits showed coactivation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Consistent with these results, youths with callous-unemotional traits self-reported that they felt more in control after the fear induction. Thus, in both samples, youth with callous-unemotional traits displayed a physiological and emotional profile suggesting they maintained control during fear induction. Therefore, it is proposed here that a shift in thinking of youth with callous-unemotional traits as fearless to youth with callous-unemotional traits are better able to manage fearful situations, may be more appropriate.
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34
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Byrd AL, Vine V, Beeney JE, Scott LN, Jennings JR, Stepp SD. RSA reactivity to parent-child conflict as a predictor of dysregulated emotion and behavior in daily life. Psychol Med 2020; 52:1-9. [PMID: 32799942 PMCID: PMC7908813 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual variability in tonic (resting) and phasic (reactivity) respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) may underlie risk for dysregulated emotion and behavior, two transdiagnostic indicators that permeate most psychological disorders in youth. The interaction between tonic and phasic RSA may specify unique physiological profiles during the transition to adolescence. The current study utilized clinically referred youth (Mage = 12.03; s.d. = 0.92) to examine baseline RSA, RSA reactivity, and their interaction as predictors of dysregulated emotion and behavior in daily life. METHOD Participants were 162 youth (47% female; 60% minority) in psychiatric treatment for any mood or behavior problem. RSA was assessed during three, 2-minute baselines and an 8-minute parent-child conflict discussion task. Dysregulated emotion and behavior were assessed during a 4-day ecological momentary assessment protocol that included 10 time-based prompts over a long weekend. RESULTS Greater RSA withdrawal to the conflict was associated with dysregulated basic emotion (sadness, anger, nervousness, stress) in daily life. Two distinct interactions also emerged, such that baseline RSA was related to dysregulated complex emotion (shame, guilt, loneliness, emptiness) and dysregulated behavior as a function of RSA reactivity to conflict. Lower baseline RSA and greater RSA withdrawal were associated with dysregulated complex emotion, while higher baseline RSA and greater RSA withdrawal were associated with dysregulated behavior. CONCLUSIONS Findings point to physiological profiles that increase the risk of dysregulated emotion and behavior during the transition to adolescence. Excessive RSA withdrawal uniquely, and in combination with baseline RSA, increased risk for dysregulation in daily life, underscoring the role of autonomic stress responding as a risk factor for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Byrd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Vera Vine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph E. Beeney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lori N. Scott
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J. Richard Jennings
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Stepp
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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35
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Dekkers TJ, Popma A, Sonuga-Barke EJS, Oldenhof H, Bexkens A, Jansen BRJ, Huizenga HM. Risk Taking by Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a Behavioral and Psychophysiological Investigation of Peer Influence. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:1129-1141. [PMID: 32607755 PMCID: PMC7392932 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00666-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents with ADHD demonstrate increased risk-taking behavior (RTB) like substance abuse and dangerous traffic conduct. RTB in adolescence is more likely under peer influence. The current investigation (1) tests the hypothesis that adolescents with ADHD are particularly susceptible to such influence and (2) tests whether groups differed in autonomic reactivity to peer influence. Adolescent boys between 12 and 19 years with (n = 81) and without (n = 99) ADHD performed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task twice. In the peer condition, a highly credible virtual peer manipulation that encouraged risk taking was added, in the solo condition this was absent. Autonomic reactivity was indexed by heart rate (HR), pre-ejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). All adolescents engaged in more risk taking in the peer condition relative to solo condition. Autonomic differences between groups were only found on PEP: a stronger sympathetic response to peer influence was observed in typically developing adolescents relative to adolescents with ADHD. Increased physiological stress (as indexed by PEP) in the peer relative to the solo condition predicted peer-induced risk taking in all adolescents. We conclude that susceptibility to peer influence is not exaggerated in ADHD but rather reflects a general tendency of adolescents. As adolescents experiencing peer influence as stressful are most susceptible to peer influence, we suggest that increasing resistance to peer influence may be an important treatment aim for these adolescents specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycho J Dekkers
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Complex Behavioral Disorders, De Bascule, Academic Center for Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam UMC, Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Free University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Arne Popma
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Complex Behavioral Disorders, De Bascule, Academic Center for Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam UMC, Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Free University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edmund J S Sonuga-Barke
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Helena Oldenhof
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Free University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anika Bexkens
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGZ Delfland, Center for Psychiatry, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda R J Jansen
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde M Huizenga
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Research Priority Area Yield, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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36
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Burley DT, van Goozen SHM. Pupil Response to Affective Stimuli: a Biomarker of Early Conduct Problems in Young Children. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:693-701. [PMID: 31982978 PMCID: PMC7188718 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00620-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Childhood conduct problems have been associated with reduced autonomic arousal to negative cues indicative of an insensitivity to aversive stimuli, with mixed evidence in response to positive cues. Autonomic arousal to affective stimuli has traditionally been measured through galvanic skin responses and heart-rate, despite evidence that pupillometry is more reliable and practically beneficial (i.e., no wires are attached to the participant). The current study is the first to examine abnormal pupillary responsivity to affective stimuli as a biomarker for childhood conduct problems. We measured pupil reactivity to negative, positive and neutral images in 131 children aged 4-7 years, who were referred by their teachers for being at risk of future psychopathology. We assessed relationships between pupil response to the images and teacher-rated scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which indexed child conduct problems and their overlapping emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. Reduced pupil dilation to negative images was associated with significantly increased conduct, hyperactivity, emotional and peer problems, as well as reduced prosocial behaviour. Composite scores for disruptive behaviour and emotional difficulties both uniquely predicted blunted pupil response to negative threat stimuli; there were no relations with pupil responses to positive images. These findings highlight that blunted pupil responsivity to negative stimuli serves as a biomarker for early disruptive behavioural problems and affective difficulties. Pupillometry offers an inexpensive, fast and non-intrusive measure to help identify children who are showing early disruptive behaviour or experiencing affective difficulties, which can provide opportunities for preventative intervention to avoid further psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Burley
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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Bellato A, Arora I, Hollis C, Groom MJ. Is autonomic nervous system function atypical in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A systematic review of the evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:182-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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