Abstract
Children who exhibit callous-unemotional (CU) traits are identified as developing particularly severe forms of externalising behaviours (EB). A number of risk factors have been identified in the development of CU traits, including biological, physiological, and genetic factors. However, prenatal testosterone (PT) remains un-investigated, yet could signal fetal programming of a combination of CU/EB. Using the 2D:4D digit ratio, the current study examined whether CU traits moderated the relationship between PT and EB. Hand scans were obtained from 79 children aged between 5 and 6 years old whose parents completed the parent report ICU (Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits) and SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). CU traits were found to moderate the relationship between PT and EB so that children who were exposed to increased PT and were higher in CU traits exhibited more EB. Findings emphasize the importance of recognising that vulnerability for EB that is accompanied by callousness may arise before birth.
Highlights
Biological factors identify children with a profile of externalizing behaviours (EB) accompanied by callous-unemotional (CU) personality traits: lack of empathy, callous disregard for others’ wellbeing and their feelings, and a lack of responsibility and care over performance [1,2,3]
In order to look at the relationship between 2D:4D ratio, CU traits and EB, we conducted a series of zero-order correlations (Table 2)
Studies show that adverse traits and behaviours are expressed in adults who were subject to higher levels of prenatal testosterone (PT), thereby highlighting PT as a potential risk factor for CU traits in children
Summary
Biological factors identify children with a profile of externalizing behaviours (EB) accompanied by callous-unemotional (CU) personality traits: lack of empathy, callous disregard for others’ wellbeing and their feelings, and a lack of responsibility and care over performance [1,2,3]. Research demonstrates that children with CU traits and EB evince biological profiles that are distinct from those children with CU traits alone or those with EB that are not accompanied by CU traits [2, 8]. Children with CU traits and EB have reduced emotional and physiological reactivity that is not evident in children with EB alone [12, 13] Their emotional deficits may be driven by a dysfunctional amygdala, given research showing reduced potentiated startle to violent images for those children with CU traits and EB [14]. Atypical neurological development may explain the hypoactivity to others’ distress, which
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