Prior literature reviews addressing cardiovascular correlates of misconduct have focused on resting heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC). The present paper is a quantitative review of studies that tested the relationship between child/adolescent misconduct and cardiovascular regulation. An additional selection criterion for the present review was that the study examined physiological variables beyond resting HR and SC (e.g., cardiovascular reactivity). Misconduct was related to low HR reactivity, low resting parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) control, and less withdrawal of PNS control during mental challenge. These findings expand on prior reviews that indicated resting sympathetic nervous system underarousal is associated with antisocial behavior/misconduct. Cardiovascular reactivity to stress and PNS control may also be important correlates of misconduct.

Differences in adjudicative competency among juveniles who were either awaiting adjudication (n = 70) or members of an age-matched control group (n = 40) were assessed, and their scores were compared with those of an adult sample. Competency was assessed using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication, which contains three scales: Understanding, Reasoning, and Appreciation. Participants in the comparison group did not complete the Appreciation scale and were compared only on the Reasoning and Understanding scales. The scores earned by participants awaiting adjudication were significantly lower than those earned by comparison participants on the Reasoning scale (p < .05). Scores on the Reasoning and Appreciation scales were found to be related to age. When compared with adults, significant adjudicative deficits were noted among adolescents groups.