Citation

Waller R, Trentacosta CJ, Shaw DS, Neiderhiser JM, Ganiban JM, Reiss D, Leve LD, Hyde LW. Br. J. Psychiatry 2016; 209(6): 475-482.

Affiliation

Rebecca Waller, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Christopher J. Trentacosta, PhD, Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; Daniel S. Shaw, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia; Jenae M. Neiderhiser, PhD, Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Jody M. Ganiban, PhD, Department of Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC; David Reiss, MD, Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Leslie D. Leve, PhD, Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon; Luke W. Hyde, PhD, Department of Psychology, Institute for Social Research and Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA lukehyde@umich.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.116.181503

PMID

27765772

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Early callous-unemotional behaviours identify children at risk for antisocial behaviour. Recent work suggests that the high heritability of callous-unemotional behaviours is qualified by interactions with positive parenting. AIMS: To examine whether heritable temperament dimensions of fearlessness and low affiliative behaviour are associated with early callous-unemotional behaviours and whether parenting moderates these associations.

METHOD: Using an adoption sample (n = 561), we examined pathways from biological mother self-reported fearlessness and affiliative behaviour to child callous-unemotional behaviours via observed child fearlessness and affiliative behaviour, and whether adoptive parent observed positive parenting moderated pathways.

RESULTS: Biological mother fearlessness predicted child callous-unemotional behaviours via earlier child fearlessness. Biological mother low affiliative behaviour predicted child callous-unemotional behaviours, although not via child affiliative behaviours. Adoptive mother positive parenting moderated the fearlessness to callous-unemotional behaviour pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: Heritable fearlessness and low interpersonal affiliation traits contribute to the development of callous-unemotional behaviours. Positive parenting can buffer these risky pathways.

© The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016.

Language: en