ABSTRACT

Disruptive behaviors such as conduct problems and aggression are some of the most prevalent childhood psychological concerns. The etiology of disruptive behaviors is heterogenous and the relationships between the myriad risk factors that contribute to these problems are not yet fully understood. This study examined the relationship between inhibitory control and callous-unemotional traits (CU traits) with conduct problems and aggression in a community sample of children (aged 6 to 11 years). Caregivers (n= 148) completed a survey assessing a range of known risk factors (including hyperactivity and inattention). Children were found to display more conduct problems and aggression if they had greater difficulties with inhibitory control and a higher number of CU traits. Interestingly, when children had CU traits, inhibitory control difficulties exacerbated the severity of conduct problems (but not aggression). Differences in severity between conduct problems and aggression highlight the unique relationships between risk factors such as inhibitory control and CU traits, and lay the groundwork for future studies to explore the trajectories of this relationship.

摘要

行为问题和攻击性等破坏性行为是最普遍的儿童心理问题之一。破坏性行为的病因多种多样，导致这些问题的无数风险因素之间的关系尚未完全了解。本研究调查了社区儿童样本（6 至 11 岁）的抑制控制和冷酷无情特征（CU 特征）与行为问题和攻击性之间的关系。护理人员 ( n = 148) 完成了一项调查，评估一系列已知的风险因素（包括多动症和注意力不集中）。研究发现，如果儿童在抑制控制方面遇到更大困难并且 CU 特征数量较多，他们就会表现出更多的行为问题和攻击性。有趣的是，当孩子有 CU 特征时，抑制控制困难会加剧行为问题的严重性（但不会加剧攻击性）。行为问题和攻击行为之间严重程度的差异凸显了抑制控制和CU特征等风险因素之间的独特关系，并为未来研究探索这种关系的轨迹奠定了基础。