Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Recently, researchers have advocated for a greater focus on measuring neurobiological underpinnings of serious behavior problems such as psychopathy. In particular, psychopathy has garnered significant attention for its relationship with physiological processes. Using a sample of adolescent offenders, this study explored the relationship between scores on the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003) and levels of heart rate (HR), Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA), and skin conductance (SC) using a white noise stimulus and countdown task. Correlational results indicated a positive, significant association between baseline skin conductance level (SCL) and the PCL:YV Interpersonal Facet and PCL:YV total score. MANCOVA analyses indicated that skin conductance response (SCR) responders during the anticipatory (pre-noise) and reactivity (post-noise) periods had significantly higher PCL:YV Lifestyle/Behavioral (Factor 2) and Lifestyle (Facet 3) scores than those with no SCRs. There were no significant associations between PCL:YV scores and HR activity across baseline, anticipatory, and reactivity periods. Study results suggest some differences in the biological functioning of adolescent offenders with psychopathic traits, but the small sample used in this study may have contributed to insignificant associations. Future directions for research are discussed. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries)
Author: Emily MacDougall
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: University of Alabama
OpenAlex ID: W2613504538