Interaction between Prenatal Maternal Stress and Low Heart Rate in Predicting Conduct Problems and Psychopathic Traits in Children

• In Event: Biosocial Interactive Perspective on Psychopathic Traits and Behavioral Problems in Childhood

Abstract

Evidence has suggested that neurobiological deficits combine with psychosocial risk factors to impact on the development of antisocial behavior. The current study concentrated on the interplay of prenatal maternal stress and resting heart rate in predicting antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits. Prenatal maternal stress was assessed by caregiver’s retrospective report, and resting heart rate was measured in 295 8-to 10-year-old children. Child and caregiver also reported on child’s antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits. Higher prenatal maternal stress was associated with higher antisocial and psychopathy scores. More importantly, significant interaction effects were found; children with high prenatal stress who also had low resting heart rate had the highest scores on delinquency, impulsivity, and narcissism. Findings provide further support for a biosocial perspective of antisocial and psychopathic traits, and illustrate the importance of integrating biological with psychosocial measures to fully understand the etiology of behavioral problems.

Authors

• Yonglin Huang, Brooklyn College / Graduate Center of the City University of New York

• Yu Gao, Brooklyn College, City University of New York