Sex Differences in Autonomic Correlates of Conduct Problems and Aggression

Abstract

Objective To examine sex differences in autonomic nervous system functioning in children and adolescents with conduct problems and to evaluate the role of aggression in predicting autonomic nervous system functioning, over and above the effects of disruptive behavior. Although deficiencies in autonomic responding among boys with oppositional defiant disorder and/or conduct disorder are well documented, it remains unclear whether such findings extend to girls or apply only to children with aggressive forms of conduct problems. Method Electrodermal responding, cardiac pre-ejection period, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were recorded while boys (n = 110; 53 with conduct problems, 57 controls) and girls (n = 65; 33 with conduct problems, 32 controls) between the ages of 8 and 12 sat for an extended baseline, then played a game with conditions of reward and frustrative nonreward. Results Both sex effects and aggression effects were found. Aggressive boys with conduct problems demonstrated reduced autonomic functioning, consistent with previous research. In contrast, aggressive girls with conduct problems exhibited greater electrodermal responding than controls, with no differences in cardiovascular reactivity to incentives. Conclusions Observed sex differences in the autonomic correlates of conduct problems and aggression may suggest different etiological mechanisms of externalizing psychopathology for girls compared with boys.

Behavioral and Cardiovascular Responses to Frustration During Simulated Driving Tasks in Young Adults With and Without Attention Disorder Symptoms

“…Second, although this sample was more heterogeneous compared with the previous study (Oliver, 2007), the sample was still predominantly female and White. As there are gender differences in cardiac reactivity (Beauchaine, Hong, & Marsh, 2008), a more diverse sample would positively effect external validity and allow generalizability to a broader population. Third, the use of rewards in the Iaboni et al (1997) study resulted in significant physiological differences between ADHD and non-ADHD children.…”

Social Adversity and Antisocial Behavior: Mediating Effects of Autonomic Nervous System Activity

“…Another investigation revealed that resting HR in adolescent girls aged 16–18 years was positively correlated with antisocial behaviors while in males of the same age was negatively correlated with antisocial behaviors (Crozier et al 2008). Similarly, increased electrodermal responding (a sympathetic measure) was related to increased conduct problems in females aged 8– 12 while lower baseline parasympathetic cardiovascular activity was seen in boys high in aggression (Beauchaine et al 2008). …”

Physiological Markers of Emotion and Behavior Dysregulation in Externalizing Psychopathology

“…We have now examined PEP responses to monetary incentives among male externalizing preschoolers, middle-schoolers, and adolescents ranging in age from 4–18, in several separate studies (Beauchaine et al, 2001; Beauchaine, Hong, & Marsh, 2008; Crowell et al, 2006; Mead et al, 2004). These samples included individuals with ADHD, ODD, CD, and antisocial personality traits.…”

“…In fact, in each of the studies cited above in which PEP responding to reward was assessed, RSA data were also collected. Interestingly, attenuated baseline RSA and/or excessive RSA reactivity to emotion evocation were observed only in the in conduct-disordered middle school and adolescent samples (Beauchaine et al, 2001; Beauchaine, Hong, & Marsh, 2008; Mead et al, 2004). In contrast, neither RSA nor RSA reactivity discriminated externalizing preschoolers with ADHD and ODD from controls (Crowell et al, 2006).…”