Callous-unemotional traits moderate the association between inhibitory control and disruptive behavior problems

The presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits may not be unique to conduct disorder (CD) but also extend to oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). While a distinct neurocognitive profile characterizes CU traits, it remains unclear whether this CU-related neurocognitive profile differs between youth with CD and ODD. This study investigated whether CU traits moderate the relationship between inhibitory control and CD or ODD symptoms. We leveraged computational modeling to decompose task-based inhibitory control in a sample of 200 children (59.5% boys, 86.5% Caucasian), aged 8 to 15 years (M = 10.10, SD = 1.88), referred to an outpatient child diagnostic clinic focused on externalizing problems. Analyses examined whether CU traits moderated the relationship between inhibitory control and CD or ODD symptoms while controlling for ADHD symptoms and child demographics. The results indicated that the strength of the relationship between inhibitory control and CD and ODD symptoms varies as a function of CU traits. Specifically, CD was linked to a more cautious decision-making style when elevated CU traits were present, whereas ODD was associated with more efficient decision making. These findings suggest distinct neurocognitive profiles based on CU traits, which vary between CD and ODD. Clinically, this underscores the importance of tailoring interventions for CD-CU and ODD-CU, focusing on decision making processes rather than merely addressing impulsivity. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between neurocognitive processes and disruptive behavior, with significant implications for both theoretical models and treatment approaches.

Files

Metadata

Work Title Callous-unemotional traits moderate the association between inhibitory control and disruptive behavior problems
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Peter J. Castagna
  2. Dara E. Babinski
  3. Daniel A. Waschbusch
Keyword
  1. callous-unemotional traits
  2. limited prosocial emotions
  3. conduct disorder
  4. oppositional defiant disorder
  5. disruptive behavior problems
  6. ADHD
  7. drift diffusion
  8. inhibitory control
License CC BY-NC 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Publication Date September 4, 2024
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02582-9
Related URLs
Deposited September 10, 2024

Versions

Analytics

Collections

This resource is currently not in any collection.

Work History

Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Publisher, Description, Publication Date Show Changes
    Publisher
    • European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
    Description
    • The presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits may not be unique to conduct disorder (CD) but also extend to oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). While a distinct neurocognitive profile characterizes CU traits, it remains unclear whether this CU-related neurocognitive profile differs between youth with CD and ODD. This study investigated whether CU traits moderate the relationship between inhibitory control and CD or ODD symptoms. We leveraged computational modeling to decompose task-based inhibitory control in a sample of 200 children (59.5% boys, 86.5% Caucasian), aged 8 to 15 years (M = 10.10, SD = 1.88), referred to an outpatient child diagnostic clinic focused on externalizing problems. Analyses examined whether CU traits moderated the relationship between inhibitory control and CD or ODD symptoms while controlling for ADHD symptoms and child demographics. The results indicated that the strength of the relationship between inhibitory control and CD and ODD symptoms varies as a function of CU traits. Specifically, CD was linked to a more cautious decision-making style when elevated CU traits were present, whereas ODD was associated with more efficient decision making. These findings suggest distinct neurocognitive profiles based on CU traits, which vary between CD and ODD. Clinically, this underscores the importance of tailoring interventions for CD-CU and ODD-CU, focusing on decision making processes rather than merely addressing impulsivity. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between neurocognitive processes and disruptive behavior, with significant implications for both theoretical models and treatment approaches.
    Publication Date
    • 2024
  • Added Creator Peter J. Castagna
  • Added Creator Dara E. Babinski
  • Added Creator Daniel A. Waschbusch
  • Added Castagna Babinski Waschbusch (2024, Sept in press) - CPT drift diffuse.pdf
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
  • Published
  • Updated

Version 2
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Publisher Identifier (DOI), Related URLs Show Changes
    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02582-9
    Related URLs
    • https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-024-02582-9
  • Deleted Castagna Babinski Waschbusch (2024, Sept in press) - CPT drift diffuse.pdf
  • Added Castagna Babinski Waschbusch (2024, Sept in press) - CPT drift diffuse.pdf
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • callous-unemotional traits, limited prosocial emotions, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive behavior problems, ADHD, drift diffusion, inhibitory control
    Publication Date
    • 2024
    • 2024-09-04