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Pediatrics Jan 2018Early pubertal timing in girls is one of the best-replicated antecedents of a range of mental health problems during adolescence, but few researchers have examined the...
BACKGROUND
Early pubertal timing in girls is one of the best-replicated antecedents of a range of mental health problems during adolescence, but few researchers have examined the duration of these effects.
METHODS
We leverage a nationally representative sample ( = 7802 women) managed prospectively from adolescence over a period of ∼14 years to examine associations of age at menarche with depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors in adulthood.
RESULTS
Earlier ages at menarche were associated with higher rates of both depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviors in early-middle adulthood largely because difficulties that started in adolescence did not attenuate over time.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that the emotional sequelae of puberty extend further than documented in previous research, and suggest that earlier development may place girls on a life path from which it may be difficult to deviate. The American Academy of Pediatrics already provides guidelines for identifying and working with patients with early pubertal timing. Pediatricians and adolescent health care providers should also be attuned to early maturers' elevated mental health risk and sensitive to the potential duration of changes in mental health that begin at puberty.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Databases, Factual; Depression; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Longitudinal Studies; Menarche; Puberty; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sexual Maturation; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 29279324
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-1703 -
Pediatrics Mar 2013To investigate whether excessive television viewing throughout childhood and adolescence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in early adulthood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether excessive television viewing throughout childhood and adolescence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in early adulthood.
METHODS
We assessed a birth cohort of 1037 individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972-1973, at regular intervals from birth to age 26 years. We used regression analysis to investigate the associations between television viewing hours from ages 5 to 15 years and criminal convictions, violent convictions, diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and aggressive personality traits in early adulthood.
RESULTS
Young adults who had spent more time watching television during childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to have a criminal conviction, a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and more aggressive personality traits compared with those who viewed less television. The associations were statistically significant after controlling for sex IQ, socioeconomic status, previous antisocial behavior, and parental control. The associations were similar for both sexes, indicating that the relationship between television viewing and antisocial behavior is similar for male and female viewers.
CONCLUSIONS
Excessive television viewing in childhood and adolescence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in early adulthood. The findings are consistent with a causal association and support the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that children should watch no more than 1 to 2 hours of television each day.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Criminals; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; New Zealand; Television; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 23420910
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-1582 -
Biological Psychiatry Jan 2014In a seminal study of gene-environment interaction, childhood maltreatment predicted antisocial behavior more strongly in male subjects carrying an MAOA promoter variant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In a seminal study of gene-environment interaction, childhood maltreatment predicted antisocial behavior more strongly in male subjects carrying an MAOA promoter variant of lesser, compared with higher, transcriptional efficiency. Many further investigations have been reported, including studies of other early environmental exposures and female subjects. Here, we report a meta-analysis of studies testing the interaction of MAOA genotype and childhood adversities on antisocial outcomes in predominantly nonclinical samples.
METHODS
Included were 27 peer-reviewed, English-language studies published through August, 2012, that contained indicators of maltreatment or other family (e.g., parenting, sociodemographic) hardships; MAOA genotype; indices of aggressive and antisocial behavior; and statistical test of genotype-environment interaction. Studies of forensic and exclusively clinical samples, clinical cohorts lacking proportionally matched control subjects, or outcomes nonspecific for antisocial behavior were excluded. The Liptak-Stouffer weighted Z-test for meta-analysis was implemented to maximize study inclusion and calculated separately for male and female cohorts.
RESULTS
Across 20 male cohorts, early adversity presaged antisocial outcomes more strongly for low-activity, relative to high- activity, MAOA genotype (p = .0044). Stratified analyses showed the interaction specific to maltreatment (p = .00000082) and robust to several sensitivity analyses. Across 11 female cohorts, MAOA did not interact with combined early life adversities, whereas maltreatment alone predicted antisocial behaviors preferentially, but weakly, in female subjects of high-activity MAOA genotype (p = .02).
CONCLUSIONS
We found common regulatory variation in MAOA to moderate effects of childhood maltreatment on male antisocial behaviors, confirming a sentinel finding in research on gene-environment interaction. An analogous, but less consistent, finding in female subjects warrants further investigation.
Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Child Abuse; Databases, Factual; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Monoamine Oxidase; Sex Factors
PubMed: 23786983
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.05.004 -
Clinical Psychology Review Feb 2015Previous research on the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and child and adolescent antisocial behaviour has produced mixed findings showing variation in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Previous research on the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and child and adolescent antisocial behaviour has produced mixed findings showing variation in the strength of association. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarise evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic status and broadly conceptualised antisocial behaviour, investigating variation across a range of antisocial subtypes and other potential moderators, including age, sex and informant. We identified 133 studies containing data suitable for effect size calculation, and 139 independent effect sizes were analysed (total N=339868). The global meta-analysis showed that lower family socioeconomic status was associated with higher levels of antisocial behaviour. Moderation analyses revealed this relationship was stronger where callous-unemotional traits were the outcome, and where antisocial behaviour was reported by parents or teachers rather than self-reported. The relationship between family SES and antisocial behaviour, however, was independent of higher-level constructs such as national income inequality. These results indicate that SES can be considered a robust correlate of broadly conceptualised antisocial behaviour but the strength of this relationship may depend on the antisocial subtype under investigation and the design of the study.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Child Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 25483561
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.11.003 -
California Medicine Dec 1956Not all behavior problems develop into juvenile delinquency nor do all juvenile delinquents become adult criminals. Environment is not in itself the only determining...
Not all behavior problems develop into juvenile delinquency nor do all juvenile delinquents become adult criminals. Environment is not in itself the only determining factor in the development of delinquency; rather, environment may offer the opportunity for acting out conflicts in an antisocial way. Conflicts are dealt with by antisocial behavior patterns rather than through various neurotic defense mechanisms. There appears to be a defect in conscience. Parental roles are extremely important in helping the growing child develop those positive aspects of his personality which lead to adult maturity and adult happiness. Included in parental factors are the relationships of both parents to the child, not just in what is conscious and deliberate in the relationship, but in what also can occur unconsciously or without awareness in the relationship.
Topics: Adult; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Humans; Juvenile Delinquency; Parents
PubMed: 13374562
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Child Psychology and... Feb 2013Prediction of antisocial behavior is important, given its adverse impact on both the individuals engaging in antisocial behavior and society. Additional research...
BACKGROUND
Prediction of antisocial behavior is important, given its adverse impact on both the individuals engaging in antisocial behavior and society. Additional research identifying early predictors of future antisocial behavior, or antisocial propensity, is needed. The present study tested the hypothesis that both concern for others and active disregard for others in distress in toddlers and young children predict antisocial behavior during middle childhood and adolescence.
METHODS
A representative sample of same-sex twins (N=956) recruited in Colorado was examined. Mother-rated and researcher-observed concern and disregard for others assessed at age 14-36 months were examined as predictors of parent- (age 4-12), teacher- (age 7-12), and self-reported (age 17) antisocial behavior.
RESULTS
Observed disregard for others predicted antisocial behavior assessed by three different informants (parents, teachers, and self), including antisocial behavior assessed 14 years later. It also predicted a higher order antisocial behavior factor (β=.58, p<.01) after controlling for observed concern for others. Mother-rated disregard for others predicted parent-reported antisocial behavior. Contrary to predictions, neither mother-rated nor observed concern for others inversely predicted antisocial behavior. RESULTS of twin analyses suggested that the covariation between observed disregard for others and antisocial behavior was due to shared environmental influences.
CONCLUSIONS
Disregard for others in toddlerhood/early childhood is a strong predictor of antisocial behavior in middle childhood and adolescence. The results suggest the potential need for early assessment of disregard for others and the development of potential interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Empathy; Female; Humans; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mothers; Self Report; Twins, Dizygotic; Twins, Monozygotic
PubMed: 23320806
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02574.x -
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Sep 2019The main goal of this review is to consider the main forms of dysfunctional neurocognition seen in individuals with clinically significant psychopathic traits (ie,... (Review)
Review
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. .
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Humans; Neurocognitive Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 31749653
DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/rblair -
Current Psychiatry Reports Aug 2018To review recent studies investigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) and adults with... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review recent studies investigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) and adults with antisocial personality disorder. We consider key concepts and methodological issues in cortisol assessment and review studies investigating basal cortisol secretion and stress reactivity in antisocial populations. Lastly, we consider whether cortisol abnormalities predict prognosis or treatment outcomes and the impact of exposure to adversity on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrena (HPA) axis activity.
RECENT FINDINGS
Studies tracking cortisol levels across the day and assessing cortisol awakening responses (CARs) have reported broadly intact, but flatter, diurnal rhythms and lower CARs in children and adolescents with DBDs, whereas findings in antisocial adults have been mixed. Cortisol hyporeactivity to stress is consistently reported in male antisocial populations, whereas no comparable data exist in females. Severe antisocial behavior is associated with cortisol hyporeactivity to stress, and such hyporeactivity predicts poor treatment outcomes. Further research investigating sex differences and the impact of adversity is needed. Harmonization of methods for assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and antisocial behavior would enhance progress in this area.
Topics: Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Child; Circadian Rhythm; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 30155579
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-018-0952-5 -
Sante Mentale Au Quebec 2016Researchers have long acknowledged heterogeneity among persons who exhibit antisocial and violent behaviours. The study of psychopathic personality or psychopathy can... (Review)
Review
Researchers have long acknowledged heterogeneity among persons who exhibit antisocial and violent behaviours. The study of psychopathic personality or psychopathy can help elucidate this heterogeneity through examination of the different facets that constitute this disorder. In particular, the distinct correlates of the interpersonal-affective traits (Factor 1) and the impulsive-antisocial traits (Factor 2) of psychopathy suggest at least two possible pathways to antisocial behaviours. Building on basic studies in cognitive and affective neuroscience, we provide a focused, non-comprehensive review of work identifying the biopsychological mechanisms involved in these two pathways, with special attention to studies using event-related potential (ERP) methods. In specific, a series of studies are discussed which examined affective and cognitive processes that may distinguish offenders high on psychopathic traits from other offenders, with emphasis on alterations in emotion-cognition interactions related to each factor of psychopathy. The set of findings reviewed highlight a central conclusion: Factor 1 represents a pathway involving reduced emotional responding, exacerbated by attentional abnormalities, that make for a more deliberate and emotionally insensitive offender profile. In contrast, Factor 2 characterizes a pathway marked by emotional and behavioural dysregulation and cognitive control dysfunctions, particularly in emotional contexts. Implications for identifying etiological processes and the further understanding of antisocial and violent behaviours are discussed.
Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Cognition; Emotions; Humans; Neuropsychiatry
PubMed: 27570952
DOI: No ID Found -
Trends in Cognitive Sciences Feb 2018The ability to accurately predict violence and other forms of serious antisocial behavior would provide important societal benefits, and there is substantial enthusiasm... (Review)
Review
The ability to accurately predict violence and other forms of serious antisocial behavior would provide important societal benefits, and there is substantial enthusiasm for the potential predictive accuracy of neuroimaging techniques. Here, we review the current status of violence prediction using actuarial and clinical methods, and assess the current state of neuroprediction. We then outline several questions that need to be addressed by future studies of neuroprediction if neuroimaging and other neuroscientific markers are to be successfully translated into public policy.
Topics: Antisocial Personality Disorder; Humans; Neurosciences; Violence
PubMed: 29183655
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2017.11.003