Poster #173 - Neighborhood Factors Moderate the Relation Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Anxiety Disorders

• In Event: 1-115 - Poster Session 03
  In Poster Session: PS 03 Section - Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Integrative Statement

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are characterized by a disregard of others and decreased levels of empathy and guilt. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are characterized by symptoms of poor concentration, irritability and other concerning signs. Although CU traits have been associated with low levels of anxiety, other research shows that CU traits and anxiety may co-occur (Meehan et al., 2017). However, not all youth with CU traits experience or develop anxiety, suggesting there may be contextual factors (e.g., neighborhood factors) that moderate the relationship between CU traits and anxiety. Neighborhood factors such as social capital and social disorder are important to consider, particularly among low-income urban communities. Social capital involves the relationships among people in a particular area that produces positive effects by strengthening the community and increasing quality of life (Hamdan et al., 2014). Social disorder involves exhibitions of graffiti, vacant houses and other displays of disorder (Sampson & Raudenbush, 2001). We examined whether neighborhood social capital or social disorder moderated the relation between CU traits and anxiety symptoms. Participants included 105 low income, urban youth (M=9.95±1.23 years; 50% male; 96% African American). Teachers reported on youth GAD and SAD symptoms using the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory 4-R (Gadow & Sprafkin, 2005). Parents reported on youth CU traits using the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (Frick, 2003). Youth reported on social capital and social disorder pertaining to their neighborhood using the Community Survey Questionnaire (Schwartz & Proctor, 2000).

Regression analyses included child age, sex, CU traits, a neighborhood variable (social capital or social disorder), and anxiety (GAD or SAD). Results indicated that social capital moderated the relation between CU traits and youth GAD (β = .29, p = .021), while social disorder moderated the relation between CU traits and youth social anxiety (β =. 24, p = .037). Post hoc probing indicated that the simple slope was significant among youth with higher (B = 1.85, p = .002), but not lower (B = -.23, p > .05) social capital. Among youth higher in CU traits, lower capital was associated with lower GAD than higher capital. However, among youth lower in CU traits, GAD levels were similar regardless of the level of social capital. CU traits also predicted social anxiety (β = -.66, p = .016), and the social disorder x CU traits predicted SAD (β = -.71, p = .05). Post hoc probing also indicated that the simple slope was significant among youth who reported higher (B = -1.37, p = .006), but not lower (B = 0.05, p = .896) social disorder. Among youth higher in CU traits, high disorder was associated with lower social anxiety than lower disorder. However, among youth lower in CU traits, social anxiety levels were similar regardless of disorder. These findings suggest interventions targeting anxiety among youth with CU traits, particularly among low-income youth. Future research should examine aspects of neighborhood environments that may serve as risk or protective factors for anxiety symptoms among low-income, urban youth.

Authors

• Priscila Liz Colon, Temple University
  Presenting Author

• Deborah A.G. Drabick, Temple University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lindsay Myerberg, Temple University
  Non-Presenting Author