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Adolescent Health, Medicine and... 2020Disruptive behavior could represent an (un)moral behavioral component of multi-dimensional construct of morality that includes affective and cognitive aspects. Thus, it... (Review)
Review
Disruptive behavior could represent an (un)moral behavioral component of multi-dimensional construct of morality that includes affective and cognitive aspects. Thus, it is pivotal to investigate their interplay between affective and cognitive processes the better to understand how to intervene to contrast disruptive behavior and its antisocial outcomes. The present review has examined the relationship between affective and cognitive processes implied in moral functioning by focusing on callous-unemotional traits (CU) and moral disengagement. Starting from 1005 records identified by PsycINFO, Pubmed, and Pubpsych, only 13 studies have been selected. These studies show different theoretical approaches and methodologies and put in evidence the nuances of possible interactions of CU and moral disengagement during adolescence based on different research field. Overall, most of the scholars seem to conclude that different interplay can be plausible, suggesting that it is likely that during the adolescence the influence of moral disengagement and CU is reciprocal and longitudinal. Specifically, in adolescents with Disruptive Behavior Disorders CU and moral disengagement can move together in organizing and becoming chronic of antisocial affective-cognitive system, and in particular moral disengagement may give a free way to engage in disruptive behavior.
PubMed: 32099503
DOI: 10.2147/AHMT.S151699 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2019Personality disorders (PDs) are one of the major problems for the organization of public health systems. Deepening the link between personality traits and...
Personality disorders (PDs) are one of the major problems for the organization of public health systems. Deepening the link between personality traits and psychopathological drifts, it seems increasingly essential for the often dramatic repercussions that PDs have on social contexts. Some of these disorders, such as borderline PD, antisocial PD, in their most tragic expression, are the basis of problems related to crime, sexual violence, abuse, and mistreatment of minors. Many authors propose a dimensional classification of personality pathology, which has received empirical support from numerous studies over the last 20 years based on more robust theoretical principles than those applied to current nosography. The present study investigates the nature of the research carried out in the last years on the personality in the clinical field exploring the contents of current research on personality relapses, evaluating, on the one hand, the emerging areas of greatest interest and others, those that they stopped generating sufficient motivations in scholars. This study evaluates text patterns regarding how the terms "personality" and "mental health" are used in titles and abstracts published in PubMed in the last 5 years. We use a topic analysis: Latent Dirichlet Allocation that expresses every report as a probabilistic distribution of latent topics that are represented as a probabilistic distribution of words. A total of 7,572 abstracts (from 2012 to 2017) were retrieved from PubMed for the query on "mental health" and "personality." The study found 30 topics organized in eight hierarchical clusters that describe the type of current research carried out on personality and its clinical relapse. The hierarchical clusters latent themes were the following: social dimensions, clinical aspects, biological issues, clinical history of PD, internalization and externalization symptoms, impulsive behaviors, comorbidities, criminal behaviors. The results indicate that the concept of personality is associated with a wide range of conditions. The study of personality and mental health still proceeds, mainly, according to a practical-clinical approach; too little moves, however, according to an innovative research approach, but the work shows the common commitment of scholars to a new way of dealing with the study of personality.
PubMed: 31998157
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00938 -
PloS One 2019Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterised by two underlying factors. Factor 1 (affective and interpersonal deficits) captures affective deficits, whilst Factor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterised by two underlying factors. Factor 1 (affective and interpersonal deficits) captures affective deficits, whilst Factor 2 (antisocial and impulsive/disorganised behaviours) captures life course persistent antisocial behaviours. Impaired processing of threat has been proposed as an aetiologically salient factor in the development of psychopathy, but the relationship of this impairment to the factorial structure of the disorder in adult male offenders is unclear.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether threat processing deficits are characteristic of psychopathy as a unitary construct or whether such deficits are specifically linked to higher scores on individual factors.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO.
METHODS
Studies were included if they (1) reported physiological measures of threat response as the primary outcome measure (2) indexed psychopathy using a well-validated clinician rated instrument such as the PCL-R (3) investigated male offenders between 18 and 60 years of age (4) reported threat processing analyses using both Factor 1 and Factor 2 scores (5) provided sufficient data to calculate effect sizes and (6) were published in English-language peer-reviewed journals. We identified twelve studies with data on 1112 participants for the meta-analysis of the relationship with Factor 1 scores, and nine studies with data on 801 participants for the meta-analysis of the relationship with Factor 2 scores. We conducted the meta-analyses to calculate correlations using random-effects models.
RESULTS
PCL-R/SV Factor 1 scores were significantly and negatively related to threat processing indices (r = -0.22, (95%CI [-0.28, -.017]). Neither PCL-R/SV Factor 2 scores (r = -0.005, 95%CI [-0.10, 0.09]), nor PCL-R total score (r = -0.05, (95%CI [-0.15, -0.04]) were related to threat processing indices. No significant heterogeneity was detected for the Factor score results.
CONCLUSIONS
The meta-analyses of the distinct psychopathy factors suggest that the threat processing deficits observed in male offenders with psychopathy are significantly associated with higher scores on Factor 1. A similar relationship does not exist with Factor 2 scores. Our findings highlight the importance of investigating the potentially discrete relationships between aetiological variables and the two factor constructs in the disorder.
Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Criminal Psychology; Criminals; Humans; Impulsive Behavior; Male; Mental Disorders; Personality Disorders; Prisoners; Psychometrics; Violence
PubMed: 31661520
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224455 -
Psychological Medicine Sep 2020Individuals with psychopathic traits display deficits in emotional processing. A key event-related potential component involved in emotional processing is the late... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Individuals with psychopathic traits display deficits in emotional processing. A key event-related potential component involved in emotional processing is the late positive potential (LPP). In healthy controls, LPP amplitude is greater in response to negative stimuli than to positive or neutral stimuli. In the current study, we aimed to compare LPP amplitudes between individuals with psychopathic traits and control subjects when presented with negative, positive or neutral stimuli. We hypothesized that LPP amplitude evoked by emotional stimuli would be reduced in individuals with psychopathic traits compared to healthy controls.
METHODS
After a systematic review of the literature, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare LPP amplitude elicited by emotional stimuli in individuals with psychopathic traits and healthy controls.
RESULTS
Individuals with psychopathic traits showed significantly reduced LPP amplitude evoked by negative stimuli (mean effect size = -0.47; 95% CI -0.60 to -0.33; p < 0.005) compared to healthy controls. No significant differences between groups were observed for the processing of positive (mean effect size = -0.15; 95% CI -0.42 to 0.12; p = 0.28) and neutral stimuli (mean effect size = -0.12; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.07; p = 0.21).
CONCLUSIONS
Measured by LPP amplitude, individuals with psychopathic traits displayed abnormalities in the processing of emotional stimuli with negative valence whereas processing of stimuli with positive and neutral valence was unchanged as compared with healthy controls.
Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Brain; Electroencephalography; Emotions; Evoked Potentials; Humans; Visual Perception
PubMed: 31477196
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291719002216 -
Psychiatric Genetics Oct 2019There are substantial differences, or variation, between humans in aggression, with its molecular genetic basis mostly unknown. This review summarizes knowledge on the...
There are substantial differences, or variation, between humans in aggression, with its molecular genetic basis mostly unknown. This review summarizes knowledge on the genetic contribution to variation in aggression with the following three foci: (1) a comprehensive overview of reviews on the genetics of human aggression, (2) a systematic review of genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and (3) an automated tool for the selection of literature based on supervised machine learning. The phenotype definition 'aggression' (or 'aggressive behaviour', or 'aggression-related traits') included anger, antisocial behaviour, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder. The literature search was performed in multiple databases, manually and using a novel automated selection tool, resulting in 18 reviews and 17 GWASs of aggression. Heritability estimates of aggression in children and adults are around 50%, with relatively small fluctuations around this estimate. In 17 GWASs, 817 variants were reported as suggestive (P ≤ 1.0E), including 10 significant associations (P ≤ 5.0E). Nominal associations (P ≤ 1E) were found in gene-based tests for genes involved in immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. Associations were not replicated across GWASs. A complete list of variants and their position in genes and chromosomes are available online. The automated literature search tool produced literature not found by regular search strategies. Aggression in humans is heritable, but its genetic basis remains to be uncovered. No sufficiently large GWASs have been carried out yet. With increases in sample size, we expect aggression to behave like other complex human traits for which GWAS has been successful.
Topics: Adult; Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Child; Conduct Disorder; Environment; Epigenomics; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genomics; Humans; Multifactorial Inheritance; Phenotype; Supervised Machine Learning
PubMed: 31464998
DOI: 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000239 -
Reproductive Health Jul 2019Evidence shows that the prevalence of risky sexual practice, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption behaviors in low and middle income countries such as Iran is not in a...
BACKGROUND
Evidence shows that the prevalence of risky sexual practice, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption behaviors in low and middle income countries such as Iran is not in a favorable condition. Preventive programs against these behaviors in Iran are very rare, and the results are unclear, which may be due to the lack of deeply and systematically understanding of the determinants of these behaviors. Evidence suggests that these behaviors are coincidence. So all of these behaviors were examined together. The present study was conducted aiming at determining the reasons for the occurrence of these behaviors among 15-19-year-old adolescents in Iran.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were followed to review published and unpublished studies in Iran. The databases used were Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The query terms were "Synthetic Drug" OR "Designer Drug", AND Adolescents OR Teenagers OR Juvenile, AND Iran. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was employed for critical appraisal. The quantitative studies using the regression model to analyze the factors affecting these behaviors were studied as the form of the theme. For analyzing the data, narrative synthesis and thematic analysis were used.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were meticulously reviewed. The findings were classified into five main themes (including individual, family, friends, school, and community) and 26 sub-themes. The most frequent main theme and sub-themes were respectively Family, Higher age, Male gender, Weak religious beliefs, Low self-esteem, Anti-social behaviors in family, Mother's employment, Parenting style, Poor intimacy of parents, Absence of parents, Peer pressure, and Lack of appropriate recreation. No primary study has referred to the political, economic, or policy factors affecting such behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS
The most identified sub-themes belong to family factors. Iran is a country with ideology of Islam; however, being Muslim does not guarantee adherence to all Islamic guidelines. So being Muslim is not a good reason to prevent these behaviors. Iran needs precise policy making in this area through considering family structure. It is also suggested that primary studies referring to the political, economic, or policy factors affecting such behaviors should be carried out.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Alcohol Drinking; Health Risk Behaviors; Humans; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 31340817
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-019-0779-5 -
Brain Injury 2019: Despite growing evidence supporting a link between pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and antisocial behavior, little work has rigorously evaluated this. This...
: Despite growing evidence supporting a link between pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and antisocial behavior, little work has rigorously evaluated this. This review aimed to explore systematically previous literature on the association between TBI before the age of 19 and severe behavioral problems such as violence, aggression and assault. : All articles published from 1990 to 2018 were searched using four major databases, alongside manual searching and cross-referencing. : Sixteen articles met the eligibility criteria. Overall, they supported an association between pediatric TBI and antisocial behavior. Factors were identified that might influence this link, such as, for example, TBI severity and substance use. : The review identified several issues in the current literature, highlighting key areas for improvement. It is imperative that more attention is paid to gathering detailed information regarding the temporal sequencing of events and TBI severity; evaluating the contribution of biopsychosocial variables co-occurring with TBI and antisocial behavior; disentangling which outcomes are specific to TBI versus any injury. The review has implications for the health and justice systems; regardless of whether TBI is the cause versus a contributing factor to antisocial behavior, increased awareness of their association could lead to more comprehensive assessments, tailored interventions and effective sentencing.
Topics: Adolescent; Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Female; Humans; Male; Substance-Related Disorders; Violence
PubMed: 31327257
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1641621 -
The Journal of School Health Sep 2019Bullying behavior is a concern among school-aged youth and anti-bullying programs have been implemented in schools throughout North America. Most anti-bullying programs...
BACKGROUND
Bullying behavior is a concern among school-aged youth and anti-bullying programs have been implemented in schools throughout North America. Most anti-bullying programs are delivered to adolescent youth because antisocial-aggressive behaviors are typically associated with this developmental stage. This paper is a review of empirically evaluated school-based bullying prevention and intervention programs in North American elementary schools.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic, critical review of bullying prevention programming. Data were analyzed to determine the study method, intervention components, measurement of bullying, aggression, or peer victimization, outcomes measured, and results.
RESULTS
Our review resulted in the identification of 10 interventions aimed at youth in grades K-6 enrolled in North American elementary schools. Effective intervention strategies targeted a variety of bullying behaviors using diverse mechanisms and included a school-and community-wide approach. Direct outcomes of the reviewed evaluations were centered on bullying, aggression, and victimization. Indirect outcomes of review evaluations included strategies for bystanders, school achievement, perceived school safety, and knowledge or attitudes about bullying.
CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations for promising practices in effective bullying intervention programming are offered. The review concludes with suggestions for supporting school health staff and in-service teachers drawn from the body of research, and offers direction for future study.
Topics: Aggression; Bullying; Child; Child Behavior; Crime Victims; Female; Humans; Male; North America; Peer Group; School Health Services
PubMed: 31315161
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12814 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Aug 2019The comorbidity between discrete clinical diagnosis occurs in higher levels than prevalence rates, indicating that mental disorders are systematically overcategorized.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The comorbidity between discrete clinical diagnosis occurs in higher levels than prevalence rates, indicating that mental disorders are systematically overcategorized. Dimensional models - as the Internalizing-Externalizing Spectrum - claim for a common latent structure of psychopathology. The current meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether the externalizing and internalizing latent factors of the psychopathological spectrum display common and distinctive neurobiological substrates, as unveiled by Error-Related Negativity (ERN) modulation. A systematic search of the literature was conducted and a total of 99 articles (160 studies, N = 8123) were included in the quantitative analysis. A dissociable effect was found: reduced ERN amplitude was observed in externalizing, while increased ERN amplitude was reported in internalizing. Larger effects were documented in all the externalizing dimensions (except for alcohol abuse) and were moderated by frontal electrode sites and tasks requiring inhibition. In internalizing, the overall effect was less robust. Disorder severity and tasks with punishment contingencies moderated the findings, and anxiety and obsessive-compulsive traits were the unique dimensions of internalizing accounting for the ERN increased amplitude. Overall, our findings highlight that ERN reduction interacts with the multiple phenotypic expressions of externalizing at a general level, while more specific factors - such as differences in sensitivity and aversion to errors - may explain increased ERN amplitude in internalizing.
Topics: Behavioral Symptoms; Biomarkers; Cerebral Cortex; Evoked Potentials; Executive Function; Humans; Impulsive Behavior; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 31220503
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.06.013 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Aug 2019Startle reflex potentiation versus startle attenuation to unpleasant versus pleasant stimuli likely reflect priming of the defensive versus appetitive motivational...
Startle reflex potentiation versus startle attenuation to unpleasant versus pleasant stimuli likely reflect priming of the defensive versus appetitive motivational systems, respectively. This review summarizes and systemizes the literature on affective startle modulation related to psychopathologies with the aim to reveal underlying mechanisms across psychopathologies. We found evidence for psychopathologies characterized by increased startle potentiation to unpleasant stimuli (anxiety disorders), decreased startle potentiation to unpleasant stimuli (psychopathy), decreased startle attenuation to pleasant stimuli (ADHD), as well as a general hyporeactivity to affective stimuli (depression). Increased versus decreased startle responses to disorder-specific stimuli characterize specific phobia and drug dependence. No psychopathology is characterized by increased startle attenuation to standard pleasant stimuli or a general hyperreactivity to affective stimuli. This review indicates that the defensive and the appetitive systems operate independently mostly in accordance with the motivational priming hypothesis and that affective startle modulation is a highly valuable paradigm to unraveling dysfunctions of the defensive and appetitive systems in psychopathologies as requested by the Research Domain Criteria initiative.
Topics: Affect; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Appetitive Behavior; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Avoidance Learning; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Motivation; Reflex, Abnormal; Reflex, Startle
PubMed: 31129237
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.019