Autonomic nervous system activity and callous-unemotional traits in physically maltreated youth

Abstract

Background: Research into callous-unemotional (CU) traits often focuses exclusively on biological risk factors without integrating social factors. This gap exists despite a growing body of research showing that the social environment may actually impact physiological functioning, which could in turn affect behavior.

Objective: The current study addresses this limitation by examining physical maltreatment and heart rate stress reactivity as potential risk factors for CU traits.

Participants and setting: This research was conducted in a community sample of Chinese youth (mean age = 11.83 years, 44.3 % female).

Methods: Each child separately reported frequency of physical maltreatment experiences by his or her mother and father over the past 12 months. Children completed a self-report measure of CU traits.

Results: Frequency of maternal physical maltreatment was associated with uncaring traits in females, but not in males. Paternal physical maltreatment was associated with uncaring traits in both males and females and with callous traits in females only. While paternal physical maltreatment was associated with lower heart rate reactivity in females, maternal physical maltreatment was associated with higher heart rate reactivity in females.

Conclusion: Findings provide mixed support for a potential physiological pathway through which child maltreatment may impact callous traits and provide a multilevel, biosocial lens through which to understand CU traits.

Keywords: Autonomic; Callous-unemotional traits; Child abuse; Heart rate reactivity; Physical maltreatment.