Differential associations of conduct disorder, callous‑unemotional traits and irritability with outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression

Authors

J. Elowsky, Boys Town National Research Hospital
S. Bajaj, Boys Town National Research Hospital
J. Bashford‑Largo, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
R. Zhang, Boys Town National Research Hospital
A. Mathur, Boys Town National Research Hospital
A. Schwartz, University of North Dakota
M. Dobbertin, Boys Town National Research Hospital
K. S. Blair, Boys Town National Research Hospital
E. Leibenluft, National Institute of Mental Health
D. Pardini, Arizona State University
R. J.R. Blair, Mental Health Services, DenmarkFollow

ORCID IDs

R. J. R. Blair http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6377-2361

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

4-22-2022

Citation

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health (2022) 16:38

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00466-x

Comments

© The Author(s) 2022. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License,

Abstract

Background: Previous work has examined the association of aggression levels and callous-unemotional traits with outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression. Less work has examined the outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression of adolescents with Conduct Disorder (CD). Also, no studies have examined links between irritability (a second socio-affective trait associated with CD) and these social cognitive processes despite the core function of anger in retaliatory aggression and establishing dominance.

Method: The current study, investigating these issues, involved 193 adolescents (typically developing [TD; N = 106], 87 cases with CD [N = 87]). Participants completed an adaptation of the Outcomes Expectations and Values Questionnaire and were assessed for CU traits and irritability via the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional traits and the Affective Reactivity Index.

Results: While CD was associated with atypical outcome expectations this was not seen within statistical models including CU traits and irritability. CU traits were associated with decreased expectation that aggression would result in feelings of remorse and victim suffering, as well as decreased concern that aggressive acts would result in punishment and victim suffering. Irritability was associated with increased expectations and concern that aggression would result in dominance and forced respect.

Conclusions: The results suggest that CU traits and irritability, often present in youth with CD, are associated with different forms of maladaptive outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression. This suggests that the atypical social cognitive processes underlying aggressive behavior among youth exhibiting CU traits may differ from those exhibiting problems regulating anger.