Emotion recognition deficits among children with conduct problems and callous-unemotional behaviors: differences by child race

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Peter D. Rehder (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Susan Letvak

Abstract: Deficits in emotion recognition have been associated with psychopathic and callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors among adults, adolescents, and children. However, few previous studies have examined such associations exclusively during early and middle childhood. The current study used a large, population-stratified, randomly-selected sample of 2nd grade children living in areas of high rural poverty to examine group differences in emotion recognition among children showing no conduct problems or CU behaviors (typical), conduct problems without CU behaviors (CP-only), and both CP and CU behaviors (CP+CU). Primary caregivers reported on children’s conduct problems and callous-unemotional behaviors at 1st grade and children completed a computerized facial emotion recognition task at 2nd grade. Results indicated that group differences in emotion recognition accuracy were moderated by child race, with children in the typical group showing better overall accuracy and better recognition of fearful and happy faces among European American children, whereas no group differences were found among African American children. Implications for emotion socialization, etiology of CP and CU behaviors, and future directions for research and treatment are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Callous-unemotional behaviors, Conduct problems, Emotion recognition
Subjects
Child psychopathology
Conduct disorders in children
Behavior disorders in children
Emotions in children
Facial expression

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