Cited by 149Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentStress Responses and Cortisol

Cortisol, callous-unemotional traits, and pathways to antisocial behavior

Hawes, David J, Brennan, John, Dadds, Mark R·2009·Current Opinion in Psychiatry

Abstract

Purpose of review Two decades of research has implicated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the development of antisocial behavior in children. However, findings regarding the association between cortisol and antisocial behavior have been largely inconsistent, and the role of the HPA axis in relation to broader etiological processes remains unclear. We examine evidence that the role of the HPA axis in the development of antisocial behavior may differ across subgroups of children. Recent findings A meta-analysis has supported the prediction that low levels of cortisol are associated with risk for childhood antisocial behavior, but the relationship is weaker than previously assumed. Recent studies suggest the association between cortisol levels and antisocial behavior may vary depending on type of antisocial behavior, patterns of internalizing comorbidity, and early environmental adversity. The findings are consistent with evidence that two early-onset pathways to antisocial behavior can be distinguished based on the presence or absence of callous-unemotional traits. Summary We speculate that early adversity is important to the development of chronic antisocial behavior in children with low levels of callous-unemotional traits and HPA-axis hyperactivity, but that high levels of callous-unemotional traits and HPA-axis hypoactivity characterize a particularly severe subgroup, for whom antisocial behavior develops somewhat independently of adversity.

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Crossref · 10.1097/yco.0b013e32832bfa6d

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Authors
Hawes, D. J., Brennan, J., & Dadds, M. R.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Hawes, David J
Venue
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
Published
2009-07
Volume
22
Issue
4
Pages
357-362
ISSN
0951-7367 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2075978703
Cited by
149
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 14
FWCI
1.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
cortisol, callous-unemotional traits, antisocial behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, childhood antisocial behavior, HPA axis hyperactivity, developmental pathways
MeSH terms
Aggression, Animals, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Arousal, Circadian Rhythm, Emotions, Empathy, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Internal-External Control, Life Change Events, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Risk Factors, Social Environment, Socialization, Personal Construct Theory, Conduct Disorder, Rats

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