scholarly journals Reflexive Gaze Shifts and Fear Recognition Deficits in Children with Callous-Unemotional Traits and Impulsivity/Conduct Problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1342
Author(s):  
Luna C. Muñoz Centifanti ◽  
Timothy R. Stickle ◽  
Jamila Thomas ◽  
Amanda Falcón ◽  
Nicholas D. Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Causal Chain ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Pilot Intervention

The ability to efficiently recognize the emotions on others’ faces is something that most of us take for granted. Children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits and impulsivity/conduct problems (ICP), such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, have been previously described as being “fear blind”. This is also associated with looking less at the eye regions of fearful faces, which are highly diagnostic. Previous attempts to intervene into emotion recognition strategies have not had lasting effects on participants’ fear recognition abilities. Here we present both (a) additional evidence that there is a two-part causal chain, from personality traits to face recognition strategies using the eyes, then from strategies to rates of recognizing fear in others; and (b) a pilot intervention that had persistent effects for weeks after the end of instruction. Further, the intervention led to more change in those with the highest CU traits. This both clarifies the specific mechanisms linking personality to emotion recognition and shows that the process is fundamentally malleable. It is possible that such training could promote empathy and reduce the rates of antisocial behavior in specific populations in the future.

scholarly journals Reflexive Gaze Shifts and Fear Recognition Deficits in Children With Callous-unemotional Traits and Impulsivity/Conduct Problems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
*Luna C. Muñoz Centifanti ◽  
*Timothy R. Stickle ◽  
Jamila Thomas ◽  
Amanda Falcón ◽  
Nicholas D. Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Causal Chain ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Pilot Intervention

The ability to efficiently recognize the emotions on others’ faces is something that most of us take for granted. Children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits and impulsivity/conduct problems (ICP), such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, have been previously described as being “fear blind”. This is also associated with looking less at the eye regions of fearful faces, which are highly diagnostic. Previous attempts to intervene into emotion recognition strategies have not had lasting effects on participants’ fear recognition abilities. Here we present both (a) additional evidence that there is a two-part causal chain, from personality traits to face recognition strategies using the eyes, then from strategies to rates of recognizing fear in others; and (b) a pilot intervention that had persistent effects for weeks after the end of instruction. Further, the intervention led to more change in those with the highest CU traits. This both clarifies the specific mechanisms linking personality to emotion recognition and shows that the process is fundamentally malleable. It is possible that such training could promote empathy and reduce the rates of antisocial behavior in specific populations in the future.

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 Emotion Processing in Children with Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits: An Investigation of Speed, Accuracy, and Attention

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-733
Author(s):  
Daniela Hartmann ◽  
Christina Schwenck
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Externalizing Behavior ◽  
Emotion Processing ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Unemotional Traits ◽  
Speed Accuracy

Abstract This study aimed to assess whether callous-unemotional traits (CU) are associated with deficits in emotion recognition independent of externalizing behavior and whether such deficits can be explained by aberrant attention. As previous studies have produced inconsistent results, the current study included two different emotion recognition paradigms and assessed the potential influence of factors such as processing speed and attention. The study included N = 94 children (eight to 14 years) with an oversampling of children with conduct problems (CP) and varying levels of CU-traits. Independent of externalizing behavior, CU-traits were associated with slower recognition of angry, sad and fearful facial expressions but not with higher error rates. There was no evidence that the association between CU-traits and emotion processing could be explained by misguided attention. Our results implicate that in children with high levels of CU-traits emotion recognition deficits depend on deficits in processing speed.

scholarly journals Callous-unemotional Traits in Preschool Children With Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinsong Zhang ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Huifeng Zhang ◽  
Amanda Wilson ◽  
Lan Shuai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Unemotional Traits

Abstract Background:Children with early onset of callous unemotional ( CU traits are at 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. Method: A total of 227 preschool children (89 with ADHD, 51 with Autism Spectrum Disorder [ ASD ]], and 87 Typically Developing Children [ TDC ]]) aged 4 5 years old were recruited. The participants were diagnosed using the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA), and assessed using t he Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale IV , The Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits I CU ), t he Behavior Rating Scale of Executive Function Preschool Version BRIEF P )), and t he parent rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ ). Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between ICU subscale scores and total scores among the ADHD, ASD and TDC groups F 59.87 P < 0.001 with the ASD group s coring the higheset 37.16±10.19 ) and the TDC scoring the lowest 20.39±7.40 )). T he callousness scores in the ADHD+ODD group showed the highest level of significance , and the ADHD only group was significantly higher than the TDC F 20.42 , P < 001) The ICU subscales showed low to moderate positive correlations with the SDQ subscales γ 0.21 ~ 0.68 P < 0.01) except the unemotional subscale T he ICU subscales were also negatively associated with the prosocial behaviour subscale γ = 0.45 ~ 0.68 P < The total ICU score was moderately and positively related to the BRIEF-P subscales (γ = 0.4 7 ~0.6 7 P < 0.01). The CU traits were also used to predict oppositional defiant symptoms β = 0.32, R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). The callousness and uncaring subscale scores and the total ICU score were significantly correlated with ADHD symptoms and explained a significant 3 proportion of the variance (15-24%).Conclusions: The current study indicated that having high CU scores was associated with increased odds of having ADHD. Screening for CU traits could be used to predict ADHD diagnosis in preschool children .

Amygdala Hypoactivity to Fearful Faces in Boys With Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits

2009 ◽  
Vol 166 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice P. Jones ◽  
Kristin R. Laurens ◽  
Catherine M. Herba ◽  
Gareth J. Barker ◽  
Essi Viding
Keyword(s):  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Unemotional Traits

Executive Functioning, Reward/Punishment Sensitivity, and Conduct Problems in Boys With Callous-Unemotional Traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (13) ◽  
pp. 4008-4023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelien Platje ◽  
Stephan C. J. Huijbregts ◽  
Stephanie H. M. van Goozen ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
Maaike Cima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Cu Traits ◽  
Callous Unemotional ◽  
Callous Unemotional Traits ◽  
Punishment Sensitivity ◽  
Reward Responsivity ◽  
General Community ◽  
Reward And Punishment

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are thought to characterize children exhibiting persistent and severe conduct problems (CPs). Reward and punishment sensitivity have often been investigated, yet executive function problems have mostly been studied in adults. Moreover, the level of co-occurring CPs is important to take into account. Therefore, the current study investigated differences in reward responsivity, punishment sensitivity, and executive functioning (EF) between four subgroups of general community boys ( N = 346, Mage = 14.01 years, SD = 1.19): high CU/high CP, low CU/high CP, high CU/low CP, and low CU/low CP. Boys with high CU/high CP showed significantly more EF problems, but similar reward and punishment sensitivity as low CU/high CP boys. Boys with high CU/low CP did not differ from low CU/low CP boys. Severity of executive function problems appears to distinguish boys who show a combination of CU-traits and CPs from boys with CPs alone.

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