Nathalie M. G. Fontaine

Neural processing associated with cognitive and affective Theory of Mind in adolescents and adults

Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to attribute thoughts, intentions and beliefs to others. This involves component processes, including cognitive perspective taking (cognitive ToM) and understanding emotions (affective ToM). This study assessed the distinction and overlap of neural processes involved in these respective components, and also investigated their development between adolescence and adulthood. While data suggest that ToM develops between adolescence and adulthood, these populations have not been compared on cognitive and affective ToM domains. Using fMRI with 15 adolescent (aged 11-16 years) and 15 adult (aged 24-40 years) males, we assessed neural responses during cartoon vignettes requiring cognitive ToM, affective ToM or physical causality comprehension (control). An additional aim was to explore relationships between fMRI data and self-reported empathy. Both cognitive and affective ToM conditions were associated with neural responses in the classic ToM network across both groups, although only affective ToM recruited medial/ventromedial PFC (mPFC/vmPFC). Adolescents additionally activated vmPFC more than did adults during affective ToM. The specificity of the mPFC/vmPFC response during affective ToM supports evidence from lesion studies suggesting that vmPFC may integrate affective information during ToM. Furthermore, the differential neural response in vmPFC between adult and adolescent groups indicates developmental changes in affective ToM processing.

Research review: a critical review of studies on the developmental trajectories of antisocial behavior in females.

BACKGROUND Knowledge on the onset and the development of antisocial behavior in females is limited, because most of the research in this domain is based on males. METHODS We critically reviewed 46 empirical studies that examined developmental trajectories of antisocial behavior in females, notably to help determine whether or not an early-onset/life-course-persistent trajectory exists in females. RESULTS The review suggested that antisocial behavior in females can follow different developmental trajectories (e.g., early-onset/life-course-persistent, childhood-limited, adolescence-limited, adolescence-delayed-onset, adulthood-onset). However, many of the studies reviewed were limited by factors such as the use of global measures of antisocial behavior, the identification of the trajectories based on threshold criteria, and the small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should take into account the shortcomings highlighted in this review. Such studies are needed to improve the understanding and prevention of the development of antisocial behavior in females.

Negative parental discipline, conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits: monozygotic twin differences study

BACKGROUND Negative parenting practices may be an environmental risk factor for subsequent conduct problems. Research on the association between parenting practices and callous-unemotional traits, a risk factor for conduct problems, has produced mixed findings. AIMS To investigate whether negative parental discipline is a non-shared environmental risk factor for the development of conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits. METHOD Longitudinal, multi-informant data from a community sample of twins were analysed using the monozygotic (MZ) twin differences design for 4508 twins (2254 twin pairs). RESULTS Within MZ twin pairs, the twin receiving more negative parental discipline at 7 years had more conduct problems (but not more callous-unemotional traits) at 12 years. CONCLUSIONS During the transition to early adolescence, negative parental discipline operates as a non-shared environmental risk factor for development of conduct problems, but not for the development of callous-unemotional traits.

Dimensions of psychopathy and their relationships to cognitive functioning in children.

Individuals with psychopathic traits are hypothesized to be free of intellectual deficits and possibly even to exhibit good cognitive abilities. Previous studies, based on clinical and incarcerated youth, have shown inconsistent findings. We investigated the relationships between different dimensions of psychopathy (callous/unemotional traits, narcissism, impulsivity) and cognitive abilities in a large population-based sample of children (age 9, N = 4,713). Findings indicated a positive relationship between narcissism and both verbal and nonverbal abilities, even after accounting for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity were negatively related to both types of cognitive abilities but did not remain significant after accounting for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Interactions between gender and the dimensions of psychopathy were not significant.

Trajectories of Callous-Unemotional Traits in Childhood Predict Different Forms of Peer Victimization in Adolescence

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., lack of empathy and guilt) differentiate a group of children at particularly high risk for engaging in aggressive behavior, notably bullying. However, little is known about whether youths with CU traits are at risk for being victimized by their peers. We examined the associations between trajectories of CU traits in childhood (between 7 and 12 years old) and peer victimization in adolescence (14 years old). The participants were drawn from the Twins Early Development Study, a longitudinal population-based study of twins born in England and in Wales. The trajectories of CU traits (i.e., stable high, increasing, decreasing and stable low) were identified through general growth mixture modeling. Four forms of peer victimization were considered: physical victimization, verbal victimization, social manipulation, and attacks on property. We found that youths with stable high levels, increasing levels, and decreasing levels of CU traits in childhood had higher levels of physical victimization in adolescence, not explained by other predictors at age 7 (e.g., conduct problems). Youths with increasing levels of CU traits, compared with the ones with stable low levels, also had higher levels of verbal victimization, social manipulation, and attacks on property. Our findings highlight the importance of distinct trajectories of CU traits in accounting for the experience of different forms of peer victimization. Youths with CU traits may benefit from bullying prevention programs, as they are likely to be the targets of peer victimization.

Links between trajectories of self-reported violent and nonviolent offending and official offending during adolescence and adulthood

BACKGROUND Little is known about the associations between self-reported offending and official offending whilst considering different types of offences. AIMS The aims of the present study are to identify developmental trajectories of self-reported violent and nonviolent offending (SRVO; SRNVO) and to examine their associations with official violent and nonviolent offences (as juveniles and adults). METHODS Developmental trajectories of SRVO and SRNVO from 11 to 17 years of age were estimated with data from the Montreal Longitudinal and Experimental Study, a prospective longitudinal study of 1037 boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. RESULTS Five trajectories of SRVO (i.e. Chronic, Desisting, Delayed, Moderate and Low) and three trajectories of SRNVO (Chronic, Moderate and Low) were identified. Chronic, Desisting and Delayed trajectories of SRVO were associated with violent and nonviolent official offending in adolescence and early adulthood, over and above the trajectories of SRNVO. In comparison, trajectories of SRNVO were weakly and inconsistently associated with official offending, once controlling for their overlap with trajectories of SRVO. CONCLUSIONS Individuals on high trajectories of violent offending during adolescence are most at risk for being exposed to the justice system both concurrently and longitudinally. Differentiating violent and nonviolent offending can help resolve part of the discordance between self-reported and official offending.

The associations between callous-unemotional traits and symptoms of conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems : a study of adolescent twins screened for neurodevelopmental problems

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., lack of empathy, lack of guilt, shallow affect) are associated with severe and persistent conduct problems in youth. There is evidence showing a substantial genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems. The etiological associations between CU traits and other psychopathological symptoms, including symptoms of hyperactivity and emotional problems (such as anxiety and depression symptoms), have been less explored. To examine the etiological associations between CU traits and symptoms of conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems separately through the use of a twin design. Participants were same-sex twin pairs (n = 426 twins; 42% female; 43% MZ; age = 15) drawn from the Child and Adolescents Twin Study in Sweden, a longitudinal study of twins born in Sweden. The sample was mainly composed of children who screenpositive on neurodevelopmental problems/mental health problems or at-risk children (i.e., screen-negative children considered to be genetically at-risk siblings). We used self-report measures of CU traits, conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems. Model-fitting analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling. We found a strong positive genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems and a moderate genetic correlation between CU traits and hyperactivity. We also found a relatively modest, but significant negative genetic correlation between CU traits and emotional problems. Using a sample of adolescent twins screened for neurodevelopmental problems, we replicated previous findings that showed a strong genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems and we extended research by examining further the etiological associations between CU traits and symptoms of hyperactivity and emotional problems.