Examining Links Between Infant Parasympathetic Regulation During the Still-Face Paradigm and Later Callous-Unemotional Traits

• In Event: Developmental Psychopathology Perspectives on Externalizing Behavior Problems Among Young Children

Abstract

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, characterized by deficits in guilt, empathy, and prosociality, are associated with increased risk for stable and severe patterns of aggression (Frick et al., 2014; Lynam et al., 2009; Waller et al., 2020). Although research suggests that CU traits are underpinned by deficits in social affiliation in infancy, including reduced engagement during interactions with caregivers, there has been little investigation of the biophysiological regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes (Viding & McCrory, 2019; Waller & Wagner, 2019). Moreover, deficits in threat sensitivity have been implicated as a core aspect of CU traits in older children, and emerging evidence suggests that these deficits are underpinned by reduced biophysiological reactivity in the context of threat and fear (Barker et al., 2011; Blair, 2013). However, no study has examined this possibility in the context of social threat in infancy.
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) is an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning that supports the maintenance of regulatory homeostasis and social engagement, and individual variability in RSA functioning during social interactions may provide insight into early risk processes (Porges, 2001; Thayer et al., 2009, 2012). Thus, the current study uses data from the Durham Child Health and Development Study (n = 206) to examine the relations between PNS functioning in infancy and later CU traits and oppositional defiant behaviors (ODD). Specifically, we test whether infants’ behavioral and RSA reactivity during the still-face episode of the still-face paradigm at 6 months differentiates risk for CU traits and ODD at age 3 years. Next, drawing from research demonstrating the impact early experiences with caregivers has in the development of both CU traits and ODD, we test whether the impact of behavioral and physiological reactivity on study outcomes is moderated by attachment quality assessed using the Strange Situation Paradigm at age 12 months.
Results from saturated linear path models indicate that reduced negative affect during the still-face episode at 6 months predicts higher CU traits (b= -0.284, β= -0.269, p= 0.003) and ODD (b= -0.361, β= -0.242, p= 0.006) at 3 years. Results also show that lower RSA, i.e. increased reactivity, during the still-face episode predicts higher CU traits (b= -0.095, β= -0.317, p= 0.016), but not ODD. Effects are driven by infants with insecure attachment, measured using the strange situation paradigm. Findings suggest the combination of biobehavioral asynchrony (i.e., reduced behavioral reactivity but increased physiological reactivity) in response to a social stressor and insecure attachment may constitute risk for later CU traits (simple slope = -0.736, t = -2.67, p = 0.01 at -1 SD). Results are discussed in the context of theoretical propositions that the emergence of fearlessness is a consequence of the gradual recalibration on hyperreactive stress systems due to environmental influences. Limitations and implications for risk and resilience in environmental and biological contexts are discussed.

Authors

• Sarah Lynch, Boston University
  Presenting Author

• Rachael Bedford, King's College London
  Non-Presenting Author

• Cathi Propper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Non-Presenting Author

• Nicholas James Wagner, Boston University
  Non-Presenting Author