Child Maltreatment, Callous/Unemotional Traits, Impulsivity, & Risk Behaviors: The Protective Role of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

Introduction.  Callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity reflect differential dysregulations in emotional processing (Loney et al., 2003) and have been associated with childhood maltreatment (Kimonis et al., 2013; Sunjan et al., 2014) and risk behaviors (Carlson et al., 2015; Wray et al., 2012).  Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a physiologic index of emotion regulation (Appelhans & Luecken, 2006) and functional RSA is negatively correlated with substance use problems (Mun et al., 2008).  However, little research has examined the protective function of RSA in pathways from callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity to health risk behaviors.  Furthermore, maltreatment is linked to emotional dysregulation, though little research has studied the differential impacts of subtypes of emotional abuse.  The current study examines pathways from emotional neglect and abuse to risk behaviors (i.e., alcohol/drug use and problems, sex under the influence) via impulsivity and callous/unemotional traits.  Additionally, the protective role of respiratory sinus arrhythmia is tested.  

Methods.  Young adults (N = 130) were assessed via computer while RSA data were obtained by electrocardiogram.  Emotional abuse and neglect were assessed by the ACE (Felitti et al., 1998).  Callous/unemotional traits were assessed by the ICU (Frick, 2003) (α = .81).  Impulsivity was assessed by the UPPS (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001) (α = .61).  Multi-variate risk (i.e., alcohol use, drug use, sex under the influence; α = .60) was measured by the AUDIT (Babor et al., 2001), the DUDIT (Berman et al., 2005), and one item on the frequency of sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  RSA reactivity was assessed via a simulated stress event (i.e., arithmetic task) (Berntson et al., 1996). 

Results.  Model fit was very good: χ2 (29) = 35.68, p = .18; CFI =.97; RMSEA = .04; SRMR = .06 (Hu & Bentler, 1999).  Emotional neglect was associated with higher reports of callous/unemotional traits (β = .25; p < .01) and emotional abuse was associated with impulsivity (β = .20; p < .05).  Higher callous/unemotional traits were significantly associated with higher DUDIT scores (β = .18; p < .05).  Higher impulsivity scores were significantly associated with higher alcohol use (β = .32; p < .001), drug use (β = .19; p < .05), and more sex under the influence (β = .23; p < .01).  RSA buffered the pathways from callousness/unemotional traits to alcohol use (β = -.19; p < .05), drug use (β = -.36; p < .001), and sex under the influence (β = -.20; p < .05) as well as from impulsivity to alcohol use (β = .17; p < .05).

Implications.  The current study highlights the mechanistic roles that callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity play in pathways from emotional abuse and neglect to risk behaviors.  Furthermore, findings regarding the protective role of high RSA add to limited existing relevant literature.  Prevention research can examine the development of callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity as precursors for risk as well as consider emotion regulation strategies for intervention purposes.  Researchers can further probe the buffering effect that high RSA reactivity may have in pathways from psychopathology to risk.