-
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and... Nov 2023Since the introduction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5, a limited prosocial emotion (LPE) specifier has been added to the conduct...
Limited prosocial emotions (LPE) specifier in conduct disorder and offending behavior: findings from a 10-year prospective longitudinal study of juveniles in residential care.
BACKGROUND
Since the introduction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5, a limited prosocial emotion (LPE) specifier has been added to the conduct disorder (CD) diagnosis in addition to the age of onset specifier. It was suggested that this would identify a subgroup with severe antisocial and/or aggressive behavior with serious current and future (mental health) impairment. Research in recent years has shown that this is indeed a subgroup with severe antisocial behavior; however, mental health problems do not appear to differ from those of youth with CD without LPE. Most research to date has been cross-sectional. However, longitudinal research is urgently needed to better understand the predictive value of the LPE specifier. The aim of the current longitudinal study is to examine future offending behavior of youth with CD with compared to youth without the LPE specifier. In addition, the predictive value of the categorical LPE specifier and the dimensional LPE score will be examined beyond factors that are strongly associated with future offending (i.e., gender, age, and prior offending).
METHODS
Adolescents and young adults (12-25) with CD (assessed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version [K-SADS-PL]) with (N = 61) and without (N = 75) the LPE specifier (assessed with the Callous-Unemotional [CU] dimension of the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory [YPI]) (in line with Jambroes et al., 2016) were compared on sociodemographic characteristics, mental health problems and offending behavior. Future (general and violent) offending was based on official conviction data.
RESULTS
Our results showed that youth with CD with and without the LPE specifier did not differ in self-reported and informant-reported mental health problems. However, youth with CD with the LPE specifier showed more offending behavior and personality pathology at baseline. In addition, the categorical LPE specifier was associated with future general offending, but not with future violent offending. The dimensional LPE score was associated with both future general and violent offending. However, after adjustment for gender, age, and prior delinquency, these associations disappeared, with the exception of the association between the dimensional LPE score and violent offending, which remained significant even after controlling for gender, age, and prior violent offending.
DISCUSSION
In conclusion, there seems to be evidence of a relationship between limited prosocial emotions and future offending behavior in youth with CD. This relationship, however, should not be overestimated, as there are other (static) factors (e.g. gender and prior offending behavior) that also have a strong influence on future (violent) offending behavior. Still, from a clinical point of view, a dynamic factor like prosocial emotional skills is a good focus for reducing the risk of future offending behavior.
PubMed: 38017567
DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00676-x -
Acta Psychologica Aug 2023Psychopathic traits are often investigated within the individual, while most traits come to expression within the interpersonal context. Low social communion might even...
Psychopathic traits are often investigated within the individual, while most traits come to expression within the interpersonal context. Low social communion might even be an important overlooked core feature of psychopathy. This raises the question how psychopathic (i.e., Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Irresponsible-Impulsive) traits affect the tendency to show prosocial behavior, and whether peer problems explain this relationship. Besides, the effects of gender on these subrelations are explored. In total, 541 community adolescents and emerging adults (26.4 % men; 16-25 years old, M = 21.7, SD = 2.50) completed questionnaires, measuring psychopathic traits, prosocial behavior, and peer problems. The relationship between psychopathic traits and prosocial behavior was investigated with three separate moderated mediation regression analyses (for Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Impulsive-Irresponsible traits separately) including peer problems as mediator and gender as moderator. Significant direct negative effects of Grandiose-Manipulative and Callous-Unemotional traits on prosocial behavior were found, though not for Impulsive-Irresponsible traits. Peer problems did not mediate this relation and gender was no moderator. The significant moderation effect indicated that only for women a significant direct positive effect of Callous-Unemotional traits on peer problems was found, but not for men nor other psychopathic traits. More gender differences were found with men (vs. women) scoring significantly higher on all three psychopathic traits and lower on prosocial behavior. Implications of psychopathic traits within the interpersonal context are discussed and future research could further investigate how this relationship can be explained, for example by including different types of measures and other potential mediators (e.g., empathy).
Topics: Male; Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Female; Young Adult; Child, Preschool; Altruism; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Impulsive Behavior; Empathy; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37419060
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.103976 -
BMJ Open Oct 2023Children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at high lifetime risk of antisocial behaviour. Low affiliation (ie, social bonding difficulties) and fearlessness (ie,...
Promoting Empathy and Affiliation in Relationships (PEAR) study: protocol for a longitudinal study investigating the development of early childhood callous-unemotional traits.
INTRODUCTION
Children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits are at high lifetime risk of antisocial behaviour. Low affiliation (ie, social bonding difficulties) and fearlessness (ie, low threat sensitivity) are proposed risk factors for CU traits. Parenting practices (eg, harshness and low warmth) also predict risk for CU traits. However, few studies in early childhood have identified attentional or physiological markers of low affiliation and fearlessness. Moreover, no studies have tested whether parenting practices are underpinned by low affiliation or fearlessness shared by parents, which could further shape parent-child interactions and exacerbate risk for CU traits. Addressing these questions will inform knowledge of how CU traits develop and isolate novel parent and child targets for future specialised treatments for CU traits.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
The Promoting Empathy and Affiliation in Relationships (PEAR) study aims to establish risk factors for CU traits in children aged 3-6 years. The PEAR study will recruit 500 parent-child dyads from two metropolitan areas of the USA. Parents and children will complete questionnaires, computer tasks and observational assessments, alongside collection of eye-tracking and physiological data, when children are aged 3-4 (time 1) and 5-6 (time 2) years. The moderating roles of child sex, race and ethnicity, family and neighbourhood disadvantage, and parental psychopathology will also be assessed. Study aims will be addressed using structural equation modelling, which will allow for flexible characterisation of low affiliation, fearlessness and parenting practices as risk factors for CU traits across multiple domains.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval was granted by Boston University (#6158E) and the University of Pennsylvania (#850638). Results will be disseminated through conferences and open-access publications. All study and task materials will be made freely available on lab websites and through the Open Science Framework (OSF).
Topics: Child, Preschool; Humans; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Conduct Disorder; Emotions; Empathy; Longitudinal Studies; Parenting; Male; Female
PubMed: 37802613
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072742 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023Co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and other behavioral conditions, such as stress-related, aggressive or risk-taking behaviors, in the same individual has...
INTRODUCTION
Co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and other behavioral conditions, such as stress-related, aggressive or risk-taking behaviors, in the same individual has been frequently described. As dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) have been previously identified as key neurotransmitters for some of these phenotypes, we explored the genetic contribution of these pathways to SUD and these comorbid phenotypes in order to better understand the genetic relationship between them.
METHODS
We tested the association of 275 dopaminergic genes and 176 serotonergic genes with these phenotypes by performing gene-based, gene-set and transcriptome-wide association studies in 11 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets on SUD and related behaviors.
RESULTS
At the gene-wide level, 68 DA and 27 5-HT genes were found to be associated with at least one GWAS on SUD or related behavior. Among them, six genes had a pleiotropic effect, being associated with at least three phenotypes: , , , and . Additionally, we found nominal associations between the DA gene sets and SUD, opioid use disorder, antisocial behavior, irritability and neuroticism, and between the 5-HT-core gene set and neuroticism. Predicted gene expression correlates in brain were also found for 19 DA or 5-HT genes.
DISCUSSION
Our study shows a pleiotropic contribution of dopaminergic and serotonergic genes to addiction and related behaviors such as anxiety, irritability, neuroticism and risk-taking behavior, highlighting a role for DA genes, which could explain, in part, the co-occurrence of these phenotypes.
PubMed: 37937232
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1293663 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Findings from brain imaging studies investigating the neural underpinnings of antisocial behavior have implicated the prefrontal cortex in the regulation of aggressive...
Findings from brain imaging studies investigating the neural underpinnings of antisocial behavior have implicated the prefrontal cortex in the regulation of aggressive reactions. However, relatively few studies have examined the role of the prefrontal cortex on aggression in an experimental way. This study examines whether upregulating the prefrontal cortex using repeated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduces aggressive behavior. In a double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, 88 healthy adults (42 males, 46 females) were assigned to one session of anodal tDCS over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (n = 47) or sham stimulation (n = 41) per day for three consecutive days and assessed using a behavioral measure of aggression. Levels of aggressive responses post-intervention did not significantly differ between the active and sham stimulation groups. However, a significant interaction effect between the stimulation group and gender was observed, whereby males, but not females, exhibited reduced aggression after prefrontal stimulation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of multi-session prefrontal tDCS on aggressive behavior in healthy adults. Results highlight that there are differences in responsivity to tDCS in modifying aggressive behavior.
PubMed: 37629586
DOI: 10.3390/life13081729 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023The management of people who inject drugs (PWID) is compounded by the presence of psychiatric comorbidities leading to frequent relapses and poor treatment outcomes....
The management of people who inject drugs (PWID) is compounded by the presence of psychiatric comorbidities leading to frequent relapses and poor treatment outcomes. Early identification and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities should be included in the management to enhance treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities and concurrent substance use among opioid injectors. This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to August 2022. This study included opioid injectors of all ages and both sexes. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-7 (MINI-7) and WHO-ASSIST were used to determine psychiatric comorbidities and concurrent substance use, respectively. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated to assess associations among demographic variables, concurrent substance use and psychiatric comorbidities. Among the 328 opioid injectors, the overall prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities was 88.1%, with the majority (68.6%) having more than one comorbidity. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were panic disorder (41.2%), social anxiety disorder (40.5%), and antisocial personality disorder (39.3%). Concurrent use of alcoholic beverages doubled the risk of ASPD (odds ratio 2.14 (1.24-3.72)). Cocaine (odds ratio 2.36 (1.10-5.03)) and amphetamines (odds ratio 7.68 (2.21-26.65)) increased the risk of OCD. Daily heroin injections were negatively associated (odds ratio 0.18 (0.03-0.94)) with psychotic disorders. Younger age (adjusted odds ratio 0.20 (0.79-0.53)) and never married status (adjusted odds ratio 2.62 (1.06-6.47)) were the only significant variables in the regression analysis. In conclusion, opioid injectors had a higher prevalence of numerous psychiatric comorbidities. The most common comorbidity was anxiety disorders. Concurrent use of tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, inhalants, etc., greatly increased the risk of psychiatric comorbidities.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Users; Substance-Related Disorders; Comorbidity; Cocaine; Prevalence
PubMed: 37925494
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45633-y -
Psychiatria Polska Dec 2023Numerous studies show that a high level of psychopathic traits in youth is related to the propensity to use various types and forms of aggression. The presented study...
OBJECTIVES
Numerous studies show that a high level of psychopathic traits in youth is related to the propensity to use various types and forms of aggression. The presented study focuses on the relations between psychopathy and aggression, both indirect (relational) and direct in this age group. The triarchic model of psychopathy was used, according to which psychopathy is described as a configuration of boldness, meanness and disinhibition. It was assumed that boldness would be a predictor for indirect aggression and disinhibition - for the direct forms of aggressive behaviors.
METHODS
The sample consisted of 200 older adolescents (108 boys and 92 girls), aged 16-19. Two groups were distinguished for comparison: juveniles from youth fostering centers and youth not violating legal norms. For the measurement of the variables the following self-reports were used: Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, Indirect Aggression Scale (Aggressor Version) and Aggression Questionnaire.
RESULTS
From among the dimensions of psychopathy, the strongest predictor for both forms of aggression (indirect and direct) was disinhibition. The study also revealed the differences in the intensity of psychopathic traits and aggressive behaviors with reference to gender and institutionalization. However, the hypothesis on the relationship between boldness and indirect aggression was not confirmed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that disinhibition and meanness can be considered as significant personality risk factors for aggressive behaviors and violence not only in adults but also in adolescents. The study supported also the heterogeneity of the triarchic model of psychopathy itself.
Topics: Adult; Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Aggression; Models, Psychological; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report
PubMed: 38564520
DOI: 10.12740/PP/158898 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Nov 2023Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and conduct disorder (CD) are characterized by a persistent pattern of violations of societal norms and others' rights. Ample...
AIMS
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and conduct disorder (CD) are characterized by a persistent pattern of violations of societal norms and others' rights. Ample evidence shows that the pathophysiology of these disorders is contributed by orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) alterations, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we performed the first-ever RNA sequencing study of postmortem OFC samples from subjects with a lifetime diagnosis of ASPD and/or CD.
METHODS
The transcriptomic profiles of OFC samples from subjects with ASPD and/or CD were compared to those of unaffected age-matched controls (n = 9/group).
RESULTS
The OFC of ASPD/CD-affected subjects displayed significant differences in the expression of 328 genes. Further gene-ontology analyses revealed an extensive downregulation of excitatory neuron transcripts and upregulation of astrocyte transcripts. These alterations were paralleled by significant modifications in synaptic regulation and glutamatergic neurotransmission pathways.
CONCLUSION
These preliminary findings suggest that ASPD and CD feature a complex array of functional deficits in the pyramidal neurons and astrocytes of the OFC. In turn, these aberrances may contribute to the reduced OFC connectivity observed in antisocial subjects. Future analyses on larger cohorts are needed to validate these results.
Topics: Humans; Transcriptome; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Conduct Disorder; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 37269073
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14283 -
BMC Psychiatry Jan 2024Developmental dyslexia is characterized by reading and writing deficits that persist into adulthood. Dyslexia is strongly associated with academic underachievement, as...
BACKGROUND
Developmental dyslexia is characterized by reading and writing deficits that persist into adulthood. Dyslexia is strongly associated with academic underachievement, as well as impulsive, compulsive, and criminal behaviors. The aims of this study were to investigate impulsive or compulsive reading comprehension, analyzing the differences in reading errors between two distinct groups -one with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and another with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and examine their correlation with criminal behavior within a prison population.
METHODS
We gathered data from 194 participants: 81 with ASPD and 113 with OCPD from a prison center. Participants took part in interviews to gather data on demographic, criminal, and behavioral data. Additionally, the participants underwent various assessments, including the International Examination for Personality Disorders; Symptom Inventory, and Battery for the Assessment of Reading Processes in Secondary and High School - Revised.
RESULTS
Our analysis revealed differences in reading skills between the ASPD and OCPD groups. Specifically, the OCPD group showed poorer performance on lexical selection, semantic categorization, grammar structures, grammatical judgements, and expository comprehension when compared with the ASPD group. Conversely, the OCPD group obtained higher scores on narrative comprehension relative to the ASPD group.
CONCLUSIONS
The OCPD group showed slow lexical-phonological coding and phonological activation.
Topics: Humans; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Comprehension; Prisons; Language Disorders; Spiperone
PubMed: 38216979
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05372-w -
The International Journal on Drug Policy Jan 2024The violent behavior of football fans is constantly associated with their drinking habits. Aiming to reduce its impact, policy makers often ban the sales and consumption...
BACKGROUND
The violent behavior of football fans is constantly associated with their drinking habits. Aiming to reduce its impact, policy makers often ban the sales and consumption of alcohol beverages during matches. Nonetheless, there are few papers that empirically analyzed such relationship, and our paper aims to shed light on this question.
METHODS
Out dataset comprises 4,560 matches from the first and second tiers of the Brazilian League, where 245 exhibited at least one antisocial behavior from fans. Ordered logistic regressions are used as method.
RESULTS
Our empirical findings evidence that the sales of alcoholic drinks do increase the likelihood of severe antisocial behavior. We also observed a higher likelihood of violent cases when the home club loses its match as well as during crowded matches.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the change in the alcohol police in Brazil did show a significant association with the likelihood of antisocial behavior among football fans. However, since the magnitude of such effect is small, further research is needed to examine the potential benefits of this policy change.
Topics: Humans; Aggression; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholic Beverages; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Public Policy; Soccer
PubMed: 38048675
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104273