Parental Antisocial and Psychopathic Traits Influence Adolescent Psychopathology

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110135
Author(s):  
Kostas A. Fanti ◽  
Alexandros Lordos
Keyword(s):  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits

The role of parental antisocial behavior in the development of adolescent psychopathology is well established in the literature. However, less is known about the role of parental psychopathic traits in offspring psychopathology. Adolescents (N = 210; boys = 107) and their parents participated in a study measuring parental antisocial behavior, psychopathic traits (i.e., callous-unemotional traits, impulsive-irresponsibility, and grandiosity), and adolescent psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). Results from the structural equation model suggested that maternal antisocial acts, but not anger propensity, positively predicted adolescent CD, ODD, and depressive symptoms. Paternal anger propensity mainly predicted internalizing problems, whereas paternal impulsive-irresponsibility predicted anxiety and ADHD symptoms. In addition, findings pointed to several indirect effects from maternal and paternal psychopathic traits to adolescent psychopathology, with the strongest one being between maternal impulsive-irresponsibility to maternal antisocial acts to adolescent ODD. The findings suggest that parental antisocial behaviors and psychopathic traits, and especially impulsive-irresponsibility, should be considered in interventions aiming to reduce adolescent psychopathology.

scholarly journals Callous-unemotional traits in Chinese preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinsong Zhang ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Huifeng Zhang ◽  
Amanda Wilson ◽  
Lan Shuai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits

Abstract Background Children with early onset of Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are at a higher risk for long-term, persistent psychosocial problems. The current study aimed to explore the characteristics of CU in preschool children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the diagnostic significance of CU traits in ADHD. Methods A total of 176 preschool children (89 with ADHD and 87 Typically Developing Children [TDC]) aged 4–5 years old were recruited to the study. The participants were assessed for CU traits, emotional and behavioral problems, and how their executive functioning was associated with ADHD using multiple assessment scales. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the incremental validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), adjusting for possible covariates by child’s sex, conduct problems, and oppositional defiant symptoms. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference of ICU scores between the ADHD and TDC groups (F = 30.12, P < 0.001). In terms of callousness, ADHD + Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) group showed a significant high score, and the ADHD only group scored significantly higher than the TDC group (F = 20.42, P < 0.001). The ICU was negatively associated with the prosocial behaviour subscale (γ = − 0.57, P < 0.01) and showed low to moderate positive correlations with emotional and behavioural problems, as well as executive function (γ = 0.24–0.67, P < 0.05). The ICU scores explained 6% of the incremental validity in ADHD symptoms. The diagnostic value of the ICU for ADHD was medium and acceptable. Conclusions The current study indicated that early identification of CU traits may help clinicians better understand symptoms and behavioural problems in children with ADHD. CU traits therefore could be considered as a useful assessment tool for ADHD.

scholarly journals The Relation Between Living Group Climate, Aggression, and Callous-Unemotional Traits in Delinquent Boys in Detention

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (15) ◽  
pp. 1701-1718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Heynen ◽  
Peer van der Helm ◽  
Maaike Cima ◽  
Geert-Jan Stams ◽  
Andries Korebrits
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Delinquent Youth ◽  
Late Adolescent ◽  
Group Climate ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Living Group

Aggression and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are common problems in incarcerated delinquent youth. The present study was conducted to examine whether living group climate was associated with aggression and CU traits in late adolescent male offenders ( N = 156) in a German youth prison. A structural equation model was fitted to the data and showed associations between repression and reactive aggression and CU traits, but no associations between an open and supportive living group climate and aggression and CU traits. Previous research in Dutch youth prisons did not find a relation between repression and aggression, buta relation between a positive living group climate and less aggression. These different findings may reflect differences in the German and Dutch prison system. Implications for practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Interpersonal trauma and its relation to childhood psychopathic traits: what does ADHD and ODD add to the equation?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Marshall ◽  
Karolina Sorman ◽  
Natalie Durbeej ◽  
Lucy Thompson ◽  
Sebastian Lundström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Oppositional Defiant Disorder ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Interpersonal Trauma ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Oppositional Defiant

Abstract Background Childhood trauma has demonstrated associations with callous-unemotional traits (e.g., reflecting lack of remorse and guilt, unconcern about own performance). Less is known about associations between trauma and multiple domains of child psychopathic traits. There has also been limited focus on the role of co-occurring disorders to psychopathy traits among children, namely, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and how they interact with childhood trauma. Methods We examined to what degree childhood interpersonal trauma can predict parent-rated psychopathic traits in a large population based Swedish twin sample (N = 5057), using a stringent definition of interpersonal trauma occurring before age 10. Two hundred and fifty-one participants met the interpersonal trauma criteria for analysis. The study explored the additional impact of traits of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Results Linear regressions demonstrated statistically significant but clinically negligible effects of interpersonal trauma on total and subscale scores of parent-rated psychopathic traits. When exploring interaction effects of ADHD and ODD into the model, the effect increased. There were interaction effects between ODD and trauma in relation to psychopathic traits, suggesting a mediating role of ODD. Having been exposed to trauma before age 10 was significantly associated with higher parent rated psychopathy traits as measured by The Child Problematic Traits Inventory-Short Version (CPTI-SV), however the explained variance was small (0.3–0.9%). Conclusions The results challenge the notion of association between interpersonal trauma and youth psychopathic traits. They also highlight the need to gain an improved understanding of overlap between psychopathic traits, ADHD and ODD for clinical screening purposes and the underlying developmental mechanisms.

scholarly journals Affective theory of mind impairments underlying callous-unemotional traits and the role of cognitive control: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew E. Winters ◽  
Joseph T. Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Basic Emotions ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Behavioral Paradigm ◽  
Complex Atom

Affective theory of mind (aToM) impairments predict antisocial behavior above clinical rating of the youth antisocial phenotype callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Adolescents with CU traits demonstrate specific impairments in cognitive control; and cognitive control modulates aToM. Adolescents with CU traits specifically demonstrate aToM impairments during complex, but not basic, emotions, which require greater cognitive control to process. What is less understood is how cognitive control impacts complex aToM in relation to CU traits. Such investigations demonstrate promise for understanding modifiable mechanisms underlying core impairments of CU traits. To examine this, 81 participants (ages 12-14, Female = 51.8%, Male= 48.2%) were recruited to complete a behavioral paradigm that involved an initial aToM task followed by placing additional demands on cognitive control and a final repeat of the same aToM task. Results indicate higher CU traits associated with greater sensitivity to cognitive demands and that placing demands on cognitive control resulted in additional decrements in complex aToM. These preliminary results suggest that the cognitive control vulnerabilities associated with CU traits impact complex aToM. This may partially explain why youth with CU traits persist in antisocial behavior and warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals Dysfunctional neurocognition in individuals with clinically significant psychopathic traits

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-299 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
Emotional Responsiveness ◽  
Drug Cues ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Emotional Responding ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Clinically Significant

The main goal of this review is to consider the main forms of dysfunctional neurocognition seen in individuals with clinically significant psychopathic traits (ie, reduced guilt/empathy and increased impulsive/antisocial behavior). A secondary goal is to examine the extent to which these forms of dysfunction are seen in both adults with psychopathic traits and adolescents with clinically significant antisocial behavior that may also involve callous-unemotional traits (reduced guilt/empathy). The two main forms of neurocognition considered are emotional responding (to distress/pain cues and emotional stimuli more generally) and reward-related processing. Highly related forms of neurocognition, the response to drug cues and moral judgments, are also discussed. It is concluded that dysfunction in emotional responsiveness and moral judgments confers risk for aggression across adolescence and into adulthood. However, reduced reward-related processing, including to drug cues, is only consistently found in adolescents with clinically significant antisocial behavior, not adults with psychopathy.

scholarly journals Interpersonal trauma and its relation to childhood psychopathic traits: what does ADHD and ODD add to the equation?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Marshall ◽  
Karolina Sörman ◽  
Natalie Durbeej ◽  
L. Thompson ◽  
Sebastian Lundström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Oppositional Defiant Disorder ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Interpersonal Trauma ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Oppositional Defiant

Abstract Background Childhood trauma has demonstrated associations with callous-unemotional traits (e.g., reflecting lack of remorse and guilt, unconcern about own performance). Less is known about associations between trauma and multiple domains of child psychopathic traits. There has also been limited focus on the role of co-occurring disorders to psychopathy traits among children, namely, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and how they interact with childhood trauma. Methods We examined to what degree childhood interpersonal trauma can predict parent-rated psychopathic traits in a large population based Swedish twin sample (N = 5057), using a stringent definition of interpersonal trauma occurring before age 10. Two hundred and fifty-one participants met the interpersonal trauma criteria for analysis. The study explored the additional impact of traits of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Results Linear regressions demonstrated statistically significant but clinically negligible effects of interpersonal trauma on total and subscale scores of parent-rated psychopathic traits. When exploring interaction effects of ADHD and ODD into the model, the effect increased. There were interaction effects between ODD and trauma in relation to psychopathic traits, suggesting a moderating role of ODD. Having been exposed to trauma before age 10 was significantly associated with higher parent rated psychopathy traits as measured by The Child Problematic Traits Inventory-Short Version (CPTI-SV), however the explained variance was small (0.3–0.9%). Conclusions The results challenge the notion of association between interpersonal trauma and youth psychopathic traits. They also highlight the need to gain an improved understanding of overlap between psychopathic traits, ADHD and ODD for clinical screening purposes and the underlying developmental mechanisms.

Not just ‘callous-unemotional’: Psychopathic traits are associated with emotion dysregulation dimensions

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S181-S181
Author(s):  
P. Velotti ◽  
M. D’aguanno ◽  
C. Garofalo ◽  
G. Rogier
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Male Offenders ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionHistorically, psychopathic individuals have mainly been described as characterized by pervasive callous-unemotional traits, with dramatic implications for clinical and forensic practices – such as the tendency to deem psychopathic individuals as untreatable. However, recent evidence with community samples have highlighted that psychopathic traits may be in fact related to emotion dysregulation rather than being the mere reflection of an underlying ‘unemotionality’. Yet, it is no clear if this association extends to populations with more severe forms of psychopathy (i.e., offenders).ObjectivesWe wanted to replicate previous evidence of an association between emotion dysregulation and psychopathic traits in a sample of incarcerated offenders.AimsTo investigate the associations among emotion dysregulation dimensions and psychopathic traits, exploring similarities and differences between the Interpersonal-Affective and the Antisocial-Lifestyle facets of psychopathy.MethodsA sample of male offenders incarcerated in Italian jails completed the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-4; Paulhus, Neumann, & Hare, 2015) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004).ResultsIn line with the expectations, emotion dysregulation dimensions did predict higher levels of psychopathic traits. Structural Equation Modelling revealed that selected dimensions of emotion dysregulation were associated with different facets of psychopathy.ConclusionsBased on our findings, we argue that psychopathic traits may be associated to a certain extent with emotion dysregulation, and thus a focus on improving emotion regulation skills may hold the promise to dampen the therapeutic pessimism when dealing with psychopathic offenders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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