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Chiodi SL, Lúcio PS, Ilari B, Germano NDG, Cogo-Moreira H, Bortz G. Relationship Between Direct Aggression and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Attention and Intelligence Among Children at Risk for Behavioral Problems. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024:10.1007/s10578-024-01738-7. [PMID: 39152273 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01738-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the influence of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive) in school-aged children at risk for behavioral problems. The sample was composed of 64 children aged 6 to 8 years screened for risk of behavioral problems, who were enrolled in a clinical trial. Multiple regression models were tested to investigate the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence. Additive multiple moderation models were tested to analyze the conditional effect of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by proactive and reactive aggression. Aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence did not linearly predict prosocial behavior. Conditional effects were found only for the proactive aggression model. Negative impacts on prosocial behavior were observed among children with low attention and high intelligence performance, while medium and high levels of attention showed to be protective factors among low to medium intellectual ability children. Clinical impacts of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Lira Chiodi
- Graduate Program in Psychology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Silva Lúcio
- Department of Psychology and Psychoanalysis, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, Km 380, Campus Universitário, 86057970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pshychology of Development and Learning, São Paulo State University, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Ilari
- Department of Music Teaching and Learning, Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Hugo Cogo-Moreira
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Halden, Norway.
| | - Graziela Bortz
- Music Department, Arts Institute of Unesp, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Berenguer-Soler M, García del Castillo-López Á, Pineda D. Breaking the cycle of emotional flooding: the protective role of women's emotional intelligence in couple's conflict. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1217513. [PMID: 37593648 PMCID: PMC10427725 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1217513] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the most damaging aspects, both for people's well-being and for close relationships, is conflict. Beyond different stressors, the emotions evoked, their regulation and an appropriate conflict resolution strategy will reduce negative consequences. Emotional Intelligence facilitates social relationships, but little applied research has been done on the relationship with couple conflict and emotional flooding, particularly from the perspective of women. Therefore, the present study analyzes the role of Perceived Emotional Intelligence (PEI) and the mediating effect of Positive Conflict Resolution strategies (PCR) in couples' conflicts from women's perspective, examining its effect on Emotional Flooding (EF) and Satisfaction. Methods Through a cross-sectional design, the relationships between variables were analyzed using group comparisons and means of a structural equation model (SEM) in a sample of 692 women. Results Significant differences were found between the groups by age, length of relationship, and motherhood. The SEM revealed a good fit. PEI predicted 71.8% of the variance in EF and 35% in Satisfaction through PCR and Conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Pineda
- Forensic Psychology Unit, Health Psychology Department of the Center of Applied Psychology of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
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3
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Suslow T, Kersting A. The Relations of Attention to and Clarity of Feelings With Facial Affect Perception. Front Psychol 2022; 13:819902. [PMID: 35874362 PMCID: PMC9298753 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.819902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention to emotions and emotional clarity are core dimensions of individual differences in emotion awareness. Findings from prior research based on self-report indicate that attention to and recognition of one's own emotions are related to attention to and recognition of other people's emotions. In the present experimental study, we examined the relations of attention to and clarity of emotions with the efficiency of facial affect perception. Moreover, it was explored whether attention to and clarity of emotions are linked to negative interpretations of facial expressions. A perception of facial expressions (PFE) task based on schematic faces with neutral, ambiguous, or unambiguous emotional expressions and a gender decision task were administered to healthy individuals along with measures of emotion awareness, state and trait anxiety, depression, and verbal intelligence. Participants had to decide how much the faces express six basic affects. Evaluative ratings and decision latencies were analyzed. Attention to feelings was negatively correlated with evaluative decision latency, whereas clarity of feelings was not related to decision latency in the PFE task. Attention to feelings was positively correlated with the perception of negative affects in ambiguous faces. Attention to feelings and emotional clarity were not related to gender decision latency. According to our results, dispositional attention to feelings goes along with an enhanced efficiency of facial affect perception. Habitually paying attention to one's own emotions may facilitate processing of external emotional information. Preliminary evidence was obtained suggesting a relationship of dispositional attention to feelings with negative interpretations of facial expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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4
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Leng J, Tao M, Huai J, Fan Z. Test of Reliability and Validity of Impulsiveness Scale Among Married Chinese. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:903-912. [PMID: 35463938 PMCID: PMC9018674 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s360854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Aim Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Leng
- School of Education, Jilin International Studies University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Tao
- School of Education, Jilin International Studies University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiamiao Huai
- School of Education, Jilin International Studies University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiguang Fan
- School of Education, Jilin International Studies University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zhiguang Fan, School of Education, Jilin International Studies University, 3658 Jingyue Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province130117, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 431-84924101, Fax +86 1 594-831-4623, Email
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5
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Park J, Zhan X, Gainey KN. Meta-Analysis of the Associations Among Constructs of Intrapersonal Emotion Knowledge. EMOTION REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/17540739211068036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To better define the boundaries of conceptually overlapping constructs of intrapersonal emotion knowledge (EK), we examined meta-analytic correlations among five intrapersonal EK-related constructs (affect labelling, alexithymia, emotional awareness, emotional clarity, emotion differentiation) and attention to emotion. Affect labelling, alexithymia, and emotional clarity were strongly associated, and they were moderately associated with attention to emotion. Alexithymia and emotional awareness were weakly associated, and emotion differentiation was unrelated with emotional clarity. Sample characteristics and measures moderated some of the associations. Publication bias was not found, except for the alexithymia-emotional awareness association. This study helped to clarify the extent to which similarly defined constructs overlap or are distinct, which can inform our decision to adequately label important constructs and employ corresponding measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyun Park
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhan
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA
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6
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Górriz AB, Etchezahar E, Pinilla-Rodríguez DE, Giménez-Espert MDC, Soto-Rubio A. Validation of TMMS-24 in Three Spanish-Speaking Countries: Argentina, Ecuador, and Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9753. [PMID: 34574687 PMCID: PMC8469647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a fundamental skill related to different aspects of human life, such as psychological well-being or mood states. The present study has a triple objective: first, to explore the psychometric properties of the TMMS-24 in three Spanish-speaking countries (Argentina, Ecuador, and Spain); second, to examine the relation of EI with mood and avoidance of responsibility; and finally, to analyse the influence of sex, age and national differences on EI. The relevance of this study is given by the need for tools to assess EI in different cultures. A sample of 1048 adults (Mage = 21.11 years, SD = 5.84; 52.3% male) was selected by convenience sampling. The psychometric properties of the TMMS-24 were adequate, and the Spanish sample showed lower levels of EI than the Argentinian and Ecuadorian ones. EI was associated with mood and the avoidance of responsibility, with higher levels in women in all cases. Regarding the national and sex-specific differences, the Spanish sample showed significant differences in attention and repair, with men exhibiting higher scores in attention and women having higher scores in repair. In the Argentinean sample, no significant differences were found, and in the Ecuadorian one, women presented higher scores in attention than men. The TMMS-24 can be considered a useful, practical tool to assess EI in adults in different cultures and with different languages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Górriz
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Edgardo Etchezahar
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1417, Argentina
| | - Diego E Pinilla-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Political and Administrative Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Chimborazo 060110, Ecuador
| | | | - Ana Soto-Rubio
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatments, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Eckland NS, Letkiewicz AM, Berenbaum H. Examining the latent structure of emotional awareness and associations with executive functioning and depression. Cogn Emot 2021; 35:805-821. [PMID: 33554734 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1885349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Emotional awareness is comprised of dispositions towards and knowledge about one's emotions. Executive functions (EF) are cognitive processes that organise and guide behaviour towards one's goals. Both emotional awareness and EF play a role in processes such as emotion regulation and are risk factors for the development and maintenance of depression. Although previous research suggests that aspects of emotional awareness are related to EF, methodological and measurement limitations within the available literature make it difficult to clearly understand how they are associated. In this registered report, we examined the extent to which task-based measures of a specific EF process, shifting, are differentially related to unique facets of emotional awareness (i.e. emotional clarity of type, emotional clarity of source, voluntary attention to emotions, and involuntary attention to emotions), and to what extent EF and emotional awareness are related to depression. Using structural equation modelling, we found evidence that emotional clarity of type was associated with greater shifting cost. Shifting was not associated with any other facet of emotional awareness. Depression was linked to lower emotional clarity of type, higher involuntary attention to emotions, but not poorer EF performance. We discuss how emotional awareness and EF may be uniquely related to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison M Letkiewicz
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Howard Berenbaum
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Psychology, Champaign, IL, USA
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Merchán-Clavellino A, Salguero-Alcañiz MP, Guil R, Alameda-Bailén JR. Impulsivity, Emotional Intelligence, and Alcohol Consumption in Young People: A Mediation Analysis. Foods 2020; 9:E71. [PMID: 31936411 PMCID: PMC7022743 DOI: 10.3390/foods9010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol consumption in young people is a public health problem. Due to the harmful consequences and the large population using alcoholic substances, it would be important to determine the biological, psychological, and social factors associated with alcohol use and abuse. The main object of this study is to explore which components of impulsivity, according to the main theoretical models, have predictive power regarding alcohol consumption in young people. A secondary objective is to determine if emotional intelligence has a mediating role between the components of impulsivity and alcohol consumption, and thus specifically contribute to the knowledge about the mediation processes between those variables that are involved in the initiation and maintenance of alcohol consumption. For this purpose, 384 participants were recruited (83.1% females, n = 319), with mean age of 20.46 years (SD = 1.90; range 18-25). All participants were alcohol consumers at the beginning of the study. Data collection was conducted via online survey; impulsivity was evaluated by several questionnaires (Sensation Seeking Scale Form V, Barratt Impulsivity Scales 11, and Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward), and emotional intelligence was evaluated by the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. The results reveal that the dimension of disinhibition (a dimension of the sensation search scale) significantly has the highest predictive value on alcohol consumption. Moreover, our data show that the total effect and direct effect of disinhibition on frequency of alcohol consumption were both significant. The mediating role of emotional intelligence in this process was also significant. These findings show which variables should be considered to prevent alcohol consumption in young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Merchán-Clavellino
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain;
- INDESS (Research Universitary Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cádiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - María Pilar Salguero-Alcañiz
- Basic Psychology Area, Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (M.P.S.-A.); (J.R.A.-B.)
| | - Rocío Guil
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain;
- INDESS (Research Universitary Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cádiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - Jose Ramón Alameda-Bailén
- Basic Psychology Area, Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (M.P.S.-A.); (J.R.A.-B.)
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9
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Halicka-Masłowska J, Szewczuk-Bogusławska M, Rymaszewska J, Adamska A, Misiak B. From Emotional Intelligence to Self-Injuries: A Path Analysis in Adolescents With Conduct Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:556278. [PMID: 33488414 PMCID: PMC7819897 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.556278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Self-harm acts are highly prevalent among adolescents with conduct disorder. It has been shown that low level of emotional intelligence (EI) might be related to a higher risk of self-injuries. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this association are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether psychopathological symptoms and selected psychological processes mediate the association between EI and self-harm risk in adolescents with conduct disorders. Method: Out of 162 adolescents with conduct disorder approached for participation, 136 individuals (aged 14.8 ± 1.2 years, 56.6% females) were enrolled and completed the questionnaires evaluating the level of EI, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, empathy, venturesomeness, self-esteem, and disgust. Results: Individuals with a lifetime history of self-injuries had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and impulsivity as well as significantly lower levels of EI and self-esteem. Higher levels of EI were associated with significantly higher levels of self-esteem, venturesomeness and empathy as well as significantly lower levels of depression, anxiety and impulsivity. Further analysis revealed that trait and state anxiety as well as self-esteem were complete mediators of the association between EI and self-harm risk. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that anxiety and self-esteem might mediate the association between EI and a risk of self-injuries in adolescents with conduct disorder. However, a cross-sectional design of this study limits conclusions on the direction of causality. Longitudinal studies are needed to test validity of our model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Agnieszka Adamska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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10
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Askin R, Vahapoglu F, Onen S, Kanat BB, Taymur I, Budak E. Psychopathology in Violent Offenders Against Healthcare Workers. VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS 2019; 34:786-803. [PMID: 31575815 DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-17-00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Workplace violence in healthcare is gradually becoming a major concern in many countries around the world and research has usually been focused on the victims of violence. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychopathology of individuals who commit violence against healthcare workers. The study included 50 subjects (patient or relative of patient) aged 18-65 years who had committed violence against a healthcare worker (study group) and a control group of 55 subjects with no history of violence. A Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (EPQ-RSF) were administered to both the study group and the control group. A psychiatric disorder was diagnosed in 50% of the violent offenders group and in 16.4% of the control group. It was determined that 54.8% of the patient relatives and 44.4% of the patients themselves who committed a violent act against healthcare workers had at least one psychiatric diagnosis and these rates did not differ between the patients and their relatives (χ2 = 0.492, p = 0.483). Comparisons of the scale scores between the groups revealed that the STAXI scores (p < .001), BIS-11 total scores (p < .001), BDI, and BAI scores were statistically significantly higher in the violent offenders group. Considering the higher rates of psychiatric disorders and higher levels of anger and impulsivity among people who commit violent acts against healthcare workers, psychotherapeutic interventions such as stress and anger management interventions, improvement of interaction and communication between patients, their relatives and healthcare workers, and the implementation of rehabilitating punitive programs for violent offenders may be beneficial to reduce the rates of violent behavior against healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rustem Askin
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
| | - Fatih Vahapoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
| | - Sinay Onen
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
| | - Bilgen Bicer Kanat
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Taymur
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ersin Budak
- Department of Psychiatry, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım/Bursa, Turkey
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11
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Megías A, Gómez-Leal R, Gutiérrez-Cobo MJ, Cabello R, Fernández-Berrocal P. The relationship between aggression and ability emotional intelligence: The role of negative affect. Psychiatry Res 2018; 270:1074-1081. [PMID: 30001802 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between aggressive behaviour and individual levels of ability emotional intelligence (EI). Three hundred and ninety-five participants took part in this study. Participants were assessed on ability EI, negative affect (NA), and aggression by the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Buss-Perry Aggression questionnaires, respectively. The results revealed a negative relationship between aggression and ability EI, but this relationship depended on multiple factors: the type of EI branches and aggression dimensions, the influence of NA, and gender. Emotional management ability showed a direct relationship with aggression, while emotional perception ability presented an indirect relationship with aggression through the effect of NA. These EI abilities were related to different aggression dimensions, highlighting the direct relationship with physical aggression. Moreover, gender differences showed that women possess greater EI abilities, higher levels of NA, less aggressive behaviour, and a lower relationship between NA and aggression compared with men. This research offers a better understanding of the psychological processes explaining aggression. The inclusion of our findings in the design of prevention and treatment programs could be of great help in the control of aggressive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Megías
- Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, Spain
| | - Raquel Gómez-Leal
- Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, Spain.
| | | | - Rosario Cabello
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Spain
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12
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Suchting R, Gowin JL, Green CE, Walss-Bass C, Lane SD. Genetic and Psychosocial Predictors of Aggression: Variable Selection and Model Building With Component-Wise Gradient Boosting. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:89. [PMID: 29867390 PMCID: PMC5949329 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Given datasets with a large or diverse set of predictors of aggression, machine learning (ML) provides efficient tools for identifying the most salient variables and building a parsimonious statistical model. ML techniques permit efficient exploration of data, have not been widely used in aggression research, and may have utility for those seeking prediction of aggressive behavior. Objectives: The present study examined predictors of aggression and constructed an optimized model using ML techniques. Predictors were derived from a dataset that included demographic, psychometric and genetic predictors, specifically FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) polymorphisms, which have been shown to alter response to threatening stimuli, but have not been tested as predictors of aggressive behavior in adults. Methods: The data analysis approach utilized component-wise gradient boosting and model reduction via backward elimination to: (a) select variables from an initial set of 20 to build a model of trait aggression; and then (b) reduce that model to maximize parsimony and generalizability. Results: From a dataset of N = 47 participants, component-wise gradient boosting selected 8 of 20 possible predictors to model Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) total score, with R2 = 0.66. This model was simplified using backward elimination, retaining six predictors: smoking status, psychopathy (interpersonal manipulation and callous affect), childhood trauma (physical abuse and neglect), and the FKBP5_13 gene (rs1360780). The six-factor model approximated the initial eight-factor model at 99.4% of R2. Conclusions: Using an inductive data science approach, the gradient boosting model identified predictors consistent with previous experimental work in aggression; specifically psychopathy and trauma exposure. Additionally, allelic variants in FKBP5 were identified for the first time, but the relatively small sample size limits generality of results and calls for replication. This approach provides utility for the prediction of aggression behavior, particularly in the context of large multivariate datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Suchting
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joshua L Gowin
- Section on Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Charles E Green
- Center for Clinical Research & Evidence-Based Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Scott D Lane
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States.,Section on Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States
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