The different faces of impulsivity as links between childhood maltreatment and young adult crime

The role of parental maladaptive emotion socialization in the risk process for negative urgency and drinking behavior in adolescence

INTRODUCTION

Negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when experiencing negative emotions) is a robust risk factor for a number of problem behaviors, including early adolescent drinking. Little is known about the factors that precede the development of negative urgency, and hence the full etiology of this component of risk. The current study aimed to investigate the possibility that facets of childhood maladaptive emotion socialization (the tendency for children's expressions of emotions to be met with punishment, minimized, or invoke a reaction of distress from their parents/caretakers) increases risk for the development of negative urgency and drinking behavior.

METHOD

Self-report measures of negative urgency, subfacets of maladaptive emotion socialization, and drinking behavior were collected during the 2021-2022 academic year from a sample of 428 high school students (mean age = 14.7, SD = 0.09, 44% female), assessed twice over the course of a semester, reflecting a 4-month longitudinal window.

RESULTS

Distress emotion socialization predicted increases in negative urgency, minimizing predicted decreases in negative urgency, and punitive did not provide significant prediction. Additionally, results found that higher levels of both negative urgency and distress emotion socialization increased adolescents' likelihood of having tried alcohol. These processes were invariant across race and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study may inform the future creation of prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing maladaptive emotion socialization and increasing adaptive emotion socialization. Successful reductions in negative urgency as a consequence of increased adaptive emotion socialization may then lead to decreases in adolescent drinking and other impulsigenic behaviors.

Does sports participation affect the mediating role of impulsivity in the association between adverse childhood experiences and aggression?

Introduction

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and self-reported aggression have often been associated, however, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. In addition, less is known about potential factors that could serve as protection against the development of aggressive behavior. In this study, we investigated a moderated mediation model of sports participation and five impulsivity traits including positive and negative urgency, sensation seeking, and lack of premeditation and perseverance, in the association between ACEs and two forms of aggression.

Methods and results

The sample comprised 651 (68.5% females) individuals from a Dutch community ranging in age from 18 to 82 years (M = 34.08). Contrary to our expectations, sports participation did not affect the associations of ACEs, the five impulsivity traits, and reactive and proactive aggression, except the association between ACEs and lack of premeditation. Specifically, the detrimental effect of ACEs on the propensity to act without thinking, increases among individuals with lower levels of sports participation. In addition, it was also found that sports participation directly contributed to higher levels of sensation seeking. Finally, after controlling for sociodemographic variables, the positive association between ACEs and reactive aggression was significantly mediated by negative urgency, lack of perseverance, and lack of premeditation, while the positive association between ACEs and proactive aggression was significantly mediated by lack of premeditation and positive urgency.

Conclusion

The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge about the role of sports participation and impulsivity traits in the development of both forms of aggression, however, replication studies among multiple populations are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Exploring the impact of childhood maltreatment and BPD on impulsivity in crimes of passion

Background

Crimes of passion, characterized as unpremeditated impulsive aggression, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. Impulsivity, a major factor in crimes of passion, is also a common feature of various health conditions, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Childhood maltreatment is considered a significant precursor to BPD and is closely related to impulsivity. Although prior research has affirmed the relationship between impulsivity, childhood maltreatment, BPD, and criminal behavior, few studies have examined these variables' interconnections within the context of crimes of passion. This study seeks to explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment, BPD, and impulsivity in crimes of passion, assessing the former's impact on the latter.

Method

Our research examined 133 crimes of passion offenders and 149 other offenders from the Shenzhen male prison in China. All 282 participants completed The Abbreviated Version of The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (ABIS), The UPPS Impulsivity Scale (Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking), The McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD), and The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

Results

Our findings indicated that (1) crimes of passion offenders scored significantly higher in emotional neglect, physical neglect, and overall childhood maltreatment than did other offenders, and childhood maltreatment scores were notably higher in the high BPD trait group. (2) Crimes of passion offenders demonstrated significantly elevated impulsivity in attention and nonplanning scales compared to other offenders. Impulsivity scores across all scales were also significantly higher in the high BPD trait group. (3) Emotional neglect was found to significantly influence the urgency scale in crimes of passion offenders. An interaction effect was noted between physical abuse and high BPD traits, leading to increased impulsivity in crimes of passion offenders.

Conclusion

This study underscores the predictive roles of childhood maltreatment and BPD in determining impulsivity within the context of crimes of passion.

Effectiveness of aggression management training (AMT) on self‐esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior among adolescents residing in delinquent homes—A feasibility study from east India

PURPOSE

This feasibility study examined the aggression management training (AMT) interventions on self-esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior among adolescents residing in delinquent or observation homes.

METHODS

A quantitative research approach with the quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group (comparison) pretest and Posttest design was adopted. A total of 32 male adolescents (16 each in experimental and comparison groups) residing in two different observation homes in the state of Bihar, India were selected by convenience sampling technique. The study evaluated the following outcome measures: self-esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior for both groups at baseline and 1 month. AMT was administered to the experimental group bi-weekly for 4 weeks covering four components in 8 sessions.

RESULTS

We analysed the data with independent and paired t-tests for between and within the group differences, and Pearson correlation for a relationship. AMT intervention improved self-esteem and reduced aggressive behavior and impulsivity among adolescents residing in delinquent homes. A correlation was found between aggression and impulsivity, and between self-esteem and impulsivity.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSING IMPLICATIONS

The study had provided initial evidence for practice that can help psychiatric nurses significantly implement these types of interventions among significant, vulnerable, and ignored groups of adolescents detained in observation homes to prevent the occurrence of repeat offenses.

Emerging Adult Report of Childhood Maltreatment and Related Facets of Impulsivity

Childhood maltreatment is related to a host of outcomes, many of which may be partially explained by the transdiagnostic factor of impulsivity. The research linking maltreatment to impulsivity is well supported. However, research differentiating between emotional and physical maltreatment and impulsivity is lacking, particularly with regard to facets of trait impulsivity. Thus, the current study examined the links between childhood emotional and physical maltreatment and current impulsivity traits of positive and negative urgency, lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, and sensation seeking in emerging adults. Furthermore, effects of maltreatment are known to differ by the gender of the parent and the gender of the child. Thus, differences between parent-emerging adult child gender dyads were also examined. Results suggested both physical and emotional maltreatment were associated with negative urgency across the parent-child gender dyads. Emotional maltreatment and physical maltreatment differed in relation to impulsivity facet across parent and child gender. Results contribute to a knowledge base to use in future exploration of emotional and physical maltreatment outcomes and targets of intervention.

ANKK1 and TH gene variants in combination with paternal maltreatment increase susceptibility to both cognitive and attentive impulsivity

Recent scientific findings suggest that dopamine exerts a central role on impulsivity, as well as that aversive life experiences may promote the high levels of impulsivity that often underlie violent behavior. To deepen our understanding of the complex gene by environment interplay on impulsive behavior, we genotyped six dopaminergic allelic variants (ANKK1-rs1800497, TH-rs6356, DRD4-rs1800955, DRD4-exonIII-VNTR, SLC6A3-VNTR and COMT-rs4680) in 655 US White male inmates convicted for violent crimes, whose impulsivity was assessed by BIS-11 (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale). Furthermore, in a subsample of 216 inmates from the whole group, we also explored the potential interplay between the genotyped dopaminergic variants and parental maltreatment measured by MOPS (Measure of Parental Style) in promoting impulsivity. We found a significant interaction among paternal MOPS scores, ANKK1-rs1800497-T allele and TH-rs6356-A allele, which increased the variance of BIS-11 cognitive/attentive scores explained by paternal maltreatment from 1.8 up to 20.5%. No direct association between any of the individual genetic variants and impulsivity was observed. Our data suggest that paternal maltreatment increases the risk of attentive/cognitive impulsivity and that this risk is higher in carriers of specific dopaminergic alleles that potentiate the dopaminergic neurotransmission. These findings add further evidence to the mutual role that genetics and early environmental factors exert in modulating human behavior and highlight the importance of childhood care interventions.

Personal, Criminal and Social Predictors of Suicide Attempts in Prison

Previous epidemiological analyses indicate that specific demographic and criminal factors might be associated with suicide attempts during incarceration. However, there is a relative lack of research examining the role of social variables such as perceived social support. Data from 943 male inmates enrolled from three correctional facilities in Spain were collected. Participants completed self-report measures of the demographic, penitentiary and sentence-related, social support and suicide attempts variables. Approximately 1 in 11 inmates indicated that they had attempted suicide during incarceration. Inmates who were 50 years or above and who were serving longer sentences were significantly more likely to attempt suicide. Perceived social support was not associated with suicide attempts. These characteristics might be included in the development of intervention programs for incarcerated individuals.

Childhood maltreatment and violent delinquency in Chinese juvenile offenders: Callous-unemotional traits as a mediator

BACKGROUND

Adolescents in China suffer a high prevalence of childhood maltreatment, which has been shown to facilitate juvenile violent delinquency. Studies have implicated a relationship between callous-unemotional traits and both juvenile violent delinquency and childhood maltreatment. However, the complex relationships among these three variables have not yet been examined.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between different types of childhood maltreatment and juvenile violent delinquency.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Childhood maltreatment and callous-unemotional traits were assessed in a sample of 441 juvenile violent offenders and a control group of 543 non-offenders, using questionnaires.

METHODS

After controlling for socio-economic status, a mediation analysis determined the direct, indirect, and total effect of the mediation of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and juvenile violent delinquency.

RESULTS

The results showed no mediation of callous-unemotional traits in the relationship between physical abuse and juvenile violent delinquency. However, callous-unemotional traits mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and juvenile violent delinquency as well as between emotional neglect and juvenile violent delinquency.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that sexual abuse has both a direct and indirect effect on juvenile violent delinquency via callous-unemotional traits, whereas childhood emotional neglect had only an indirect effect on juvenile violent delinquency.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of law enforcement involvement among treatment-seeking adult males with opioid use disorder

AIM

Use of various substances, including opioid use is often associated with coming in contact with the law- enforcement agencies. Data are scarce on the unique socio-demographic and clinical correlates from the Indian population. The current study aims to explore the clinical and socio-demographic correlations of law enforcement involvement among treatment-seeking adult males with opioid use disorder.

METHOD

We screened adult males presenting for the treatment of opioid use disorder at the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in North India. We measured law enforcement involvement by asking if the patient was ever apprehended by police, had any pending legal case against them, had any history of drug trafficking, or had any history of incarceration. We divided the entire study population based on law enforcement involvement versus no involvement. We compared both the groups in terms of socio-demographic and other clinical parameters. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to find the independent predictors of law enforcement involvement in this population.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 204 patients with opioid use disorder, sixty-two participants (30.4%) had a history of law enforcement involvement, with all 62 of them being apprehended by the police at least once, 27 (13.2%) had a history of incarceration, 13 (6.4%) had a criminal case pending and 3 (1.5%) had a history of peddling drugs. We found out that high-risk sexual behavior, injecting drug use, and urban residence were associated with involvement with law enforcement.

CONCLUSION

Getting involved with the law- enforcement agencies among patients with opioid use disorders may be associated with high-risk behaviors. Legal involvement among opioid-dependent individuals may also be an impediment to the treatment processes, especially when such patients are incarcerated.

Association between different types of childhood trauma and parental bonding with antisocial traits in adulthood: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

ASPD describes individuals with a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others that begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. The relationship between parental bonding, trauma, and ASPD is well established, however, it remains unclear what types of trauma or which patterns of bonding are more associated with ASPD.

OBJECTIVES

Review the literature regarding what types of trauma and bonding characteristics were related to antisocial personality traits.

METHOD

Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scielo for studies about the relationship between antisocial personality traits and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and/or the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI).

RESULTS

357 abstracts were selected, and 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Regarding CTQ, the most consistent finding was the association between physical abuse and neglect to antisocial traits. Sexual abuse was the variable least related to antisocial traits. Regarding PBI, the most consistent finding was the inverse relationship between maternal and paternal care and antisocial traits. Concerning overprotection, the data is less consistent. Also, there was a considerable heterogenity between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature little explores how these variables interact with each other. Thus, more studies are important to aidpolitical,educational, and public health programs to create preventive initiatives for ASPD.

Parenting and Self-Control Across Early to Late Adolescence: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis

Self-control plays a significant role in positive youth development. Although numerous self-control challenges occur during adolescence, some adolescents control themselves better than others. Parenting is considered a critical factor that distinguishes adolescents with good self-control from those with poor self-control, but existing findings are inconsistent. This meta-analysis summarizes the overall relationship between parenting and self-control among adolescents aged 10 to 22 years. The analysis includes 191 articles reporting 1,540 effect sizes (N = 164,459). The results show that parenting is associated with adolescents' self-control both concurrently (r = .204, p < .001) and longitudinally (r = .157, p < .001). Longitudinal studies also reveal that adolescents' self-control influences subsequent parenting (r = .155, p < .001). Moderator analyses show that the effect sizes are largely invariant across cultures, ethnicities, age of adolescents, and parent and youth gender. Our results point to the importance of parenting in individual differences in adolescent self-control and vice versa.

The Relationship between Family Violence and Self-Control in Adolescence: A Multi-Level Meta-Analysis

Theoretical studies propose an association between family violence and low self-control in adolescence; however, empirical findings of this association are inconclusive. The aim of the present research was to systematically summarize available findings on the relation between family violence and self-control across adolescence. We included 28 studies with 143 effect sizes, representing more than 25,000 participants of eight countries from early to late adolescence. Applying a three-level meta-analysis, taking dependency between effect sizes into account while retaining statistical power, we examined the magnitude and direction of the overall effect size. Additionally, we investigated whether theoretical moderators (e.g., age, gender, country), and methodological moderators (e.g., time lag between family violence and self-control, informant) influenced the magnitude of the association between family violence and self-control. Our results revealed that family violence and self-control have a small to moderate significant negative association (r = -0.191). This association did not vary across gender, country, and informants. The strength of the association, however, decreased with age and in longitudinal studies. This finding provides evidence that researchers and clinicians may expect low self-control in the wake of family violence, especially in early adolescence. Recommendations for future research in the area are discussed.

Childhood maltreatment and impulsivity as predictors of interpersonal violence, self-injury and suicide attempts: A national study

Prior research indicates that childhood maltreatment and impulsivity increase the risk for different types of violence, including violent behaviors directed toward the self and others. However, it is not known whether childhood maltreatment and impulsivity have independent effects on different violent behaviors. Therefore, this study examined the differential effects of childhood maltreatment and impulsivity on interpersonal violence, suicide attempts, and self-injury. Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 34,653 US adults, the 2004-2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Structural equation modeling was used to simultaneously examine the shared and specific effects of five types of childhood maltreatment and impulsivity on the risk of different violent behaviors (i.e. interpersonal violence, suicide attempts, and self-injury). Analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for age and ethnicity. Impulsivity and childhood maltreatment independently increased the risk of suicide attempt, self-injury, and interpersonal violence. Childhood maltreatment had stronger effects on violence directed towards the self than on interpersonal violence in both genders, while impulsivity had a stronger effect on self-injury than on suicide attempt or interpersonal violence in men. These findings indicate that childhood maltreatment and impulsivity relate differently to the risk of different types of violence.

Caring for juveniles with mental disorders in adult corrections facilities

Although juveniles have developmental, educational, healthcare, and rehabilitation needs that differ from adults, thousands of them have been confined in adult corrections facilities in the past 30 years. This manuscript will review how and why juveniles end up in adult corrections facilities, who they are, their rehabilitative needs, and how they differ from adults in corrections facilities and youths in the juvenile justice system. The importance of providing developmentally-informed mental health services to youths in adult corrections facilities is examined, along with barriers to traditional adolescent psychiatric practice. Recommendations for future directions in adolescent psychiatric care are presented.