Heterogeneity in Externalizing Psychopathology: the Contribution of Multiple Etiological Pathways Across Childhood and Adolescence.

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Externalizing psychopathology symptoms in youth are highly heterogeneous, likely resulting from multiple etiological pathways. A better understanding of the etiological pathways to different forms of externalizing psychopathology (e.g., callous-unemotional [CU] traits, aggression) can inform more effective prevention and intervention efforts. This integrative symposium connects research teams across six institutions using innovative approaches to advance our understanding of heterogeneity in externalizing psychopathology by: (1) examining risk across development using multiple levels of analysis (e.g., neural, physiological, behavioral); (2) leveraging cutting-edge quantitative methods including machine learning techniques and structural equation modeling (SEM); and (3) describing the implications of findings for improved prevention and intervention.
The first paper deploys machine-learning to predict risk for CU traits based on endogenous (e.g., temperament, physiology) and exogenous (e.g., parenting, violence exposure) factors in infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood. This work identifies distinct risk factors in specific age periods to advance our understanding of the development of CU traits. The second paper uses SEM to isolate shared versus unique neural correlates derived from resting state functional connectivity for a general externalizing psychopathology factor relative to specific factors for irritability, defiance, and CU traits. The last paper interrogates connections between subtypes of empathy (e.g., cognitive, affective) and aggression (i.e., reactive, proactive) in a sample of high-risk adolescents. Unique associations are evident for the specific aggression subtypes, but not when considering aggression broadly. The discussant, a prominent researcher studying the development of antisocial behavior, will discuss how parsing heterogeneity in externalizing psychopathology can advance clinical practice and tailor interventions.

Sub Unit

• Developmental Psychopathology

Chair

• Isabella Kahhale, University of Pittsburgh

Discussant

• Luke W. Hyde, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Individual Presentations

• Using Machine Learning to Identify Age- and Domain-Specific Biobehavioral Risk Factors for Callous-Unemotional Traits Across Infancy, Toddlerhood, and Early Childhood. - Presenting Author: Deaven Winebrake, Boston University; Anthony J. Rosellini; Cathi Propper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Rebecca Waller, University of Pennsylvania; Nicholas James Wagner, Boston University

• Unique and Shared Brain Network Correlates of Irritably, Defiance, and CU traits in Early Adolescence. - Presenting Author: Samantha Conte Perlstein, University of Pennsylvania; Samuel W. Hawes; Amy L. Byrd; Angela R. Laird; Rebecca Waller, University of Pennsylvania

• Associations between Empathy and Aggression Subtypes in High-Risk Adolescents. - Presenting Author: Isabella Kahhale, University of Pittsburgh; Jamie L Hanson, University of Pittsburgh; Adrian Raine; Amy L. Byrd