The Relationship Between Callous-Unemotional Behaviors and Social Fear: A Cross-Lagged Analysis

The Relationship Between Callous-Unemotional Behaviors and Social Fear: A Cross-Lagged Analysis Dorothy A. White, Megan Flom, Julia Mancini, Jody M. Ganiban, Kimberly J. Saudino Callous-unemotional behaviors (CU) (e.g., low... [ view full abstract ]

The Relationship Between Callous-Unemotional Behaviors and Social Fear: A Cross-Lagged Analysis

Dorothy A. White, Megan Flom, Julia Mancini, Jody M. Ganiban, Kimberly J. Saudino

Callous-unemotional behaviors (CU) (e.g., low empathy and callous treatment of others) are an early risk factor for severe conduct problems. The temperament characteristic “social fear” may protect children from developing CU behaviors by rendering children more aware of social cues and inhibiting behavior during unfamiliar social situations.  To date, few studies have examined the associations between CU and social fear (SF) in toddlerhood. The current study examined their association by using a cross-lagged twin design to examine the stability, change, and reciprocal influences of these constructs from ages 2 to 3 years, and the extent to which genetic and environmental factors contribute to observed associations.

Participants included 314 same-sex twin pairs from the Boston University Twin Project (N_MZ=144, N_DZ=168) assessed at ages 2 and 3. CU was assessed via an empirically validated five-item subset of the Child Behavior Checklist Ages 1½-5 (parent report). SF was assessed via the Social Fear subscale of the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (parent report), a measure of child temperament.

CU showed moderate genetic influences at ages 2 (A²=.54) and 3 (A²=.31). Shared and nonshared environmental influences were observed at ages 2 (C²=.17; E²=.29) and nonshared at age 3 (C²=.09; E²=.41). SF showed shared and nonshared environmental influences at ages 2 (C²=.24; E²=.24) and 3 (C²=.07; E²=.31). Genetic influences on SF were significant at age 2 (A²=.52) and at 3 (A²=.35).

 The phenotypic associations between CU and SF at ages 2 and 3 were respectively r=.47 and r=.22.  This relationship was explained by genetic and environmental factors.

SF and CU were correlated across age (SF r=.55, CU r=.49). Both SF and CU were moderately stable over time (β_CU=.43, β_SF=.52). SF at age 2 significantly predicted CU at age 3 (β₂₁=.-13), and this association was primarily driven by genetic factors. CU did not predict SF over time.

These findings suggest higher social fear predicts less callous-unemotional behaviors over time, and that a common set of genes explain this relationship. It is possible that higher social fear makes some toddlers more aware of social cues and, perhaps, more sensitive to social consequences of CU behaviors.  Genetic influences may be driving this relationship.  This finding shows promise for early intervention in CU.