The investigation of Anxiety and Low Intelligence Quotient vs. Incidence of Recidivism

The investigation of Anxiety and Low Intelligence Quotient vs. Incidence of Recidivism

By Tatiana Sofia BegaultDevelopmental Psychopathology LabDr. Paul FrickUniversity of New Orleans

ANXIETY LEVEL AS OPTIMAL AND OBSTRUCTIVE RESPONSESome amount of anxiety is considered “normal” (subclinical level, not severe) and often is associated with optimal levels of functioning.

Only when anxiety begins to interfere with emotional, social or occupational functioning is it considered to become obstructive or “abnormal.”

Behavioral regulation and the modulation of information, hence verbal reasoning impulsivity, has it’s underlying marker in the neurocircuitry of anxiety and it’s present abnormalities.

BACKGROUND & PATTERNS Anxiety Disorders (DSM-V)Separation Anxiety DisorderSelective MutismSpecific PhobiaSocial Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)Panic DisorderPanic Attack (Specifier)AgoraphobiaGeneralized Anxiety DisorderSubstance/Medication-Induced Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical ConditionOther Specified Anxiety DisorderUnspecified Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related DisordersTrauma- and Stressor-Related DisordersDepressive DisordersSomatic Symptom and Related Disorders

(** this is not intended to be a comprehensive list)

LOW FEAR HYPOTHESISAccording to the Low Fear Hypothesis: “the primary psychopath has an attenuated experience, not of all emotional states, but specifically of anxiety or fear” (Likken, 1995 P.118). Owing to their “bellow average endowment of innate fearfulness” (Likken, 1995. p.154).

Other concepts in the Low Fear Hypothesis is that psychopaths are more difficult to socialize using typical parenting methods which rely on a child’s being motivated to avoid punishment. (Psychopathy: Theory, Research, and implications for Society. p.93. D.J. Cookie, Adelle E. Forth, Robert D. Hare Volume 88. Behavioral and Social Sciences)

Practical applications of the theory. Distinguishing Primary and Secondary Variants of Callous-Unemotional Traits Among Adolescents in a Clinic-Referred Sample. (Rachel E Khan; Paul J Frick, Erick A Youngstrom; Jennifer K. Youngstrom; Norah C. Feeny; Robert L. Findling. 2013)

The sample (n = 272) consisted of clinic-referred youths who were primarily African American (90%) and who came from low-income families. Consistent with hypotheses, 3 clusters emerged, including a group low on CU traits, as well as 2 groups high on CU traits that differed in their level of anxiety and past trauma. Consistent with past research on incarcerated adults and adolescents, the group high on anxiety (i.e., secondary variant) was more likely to have histories of abuse and had higher levels of impulsivity, externalizing behaviors, aggression, and behavioral activation.

The group low on anxiety (i.e., primary variant) scored lower on a measure of behavioral inhibition. On measures of impulsivity and externalizing behavior, the higher scores for the secondary cluster were found only for self-report measures, not on parent-report measures.

Youths in the primary cluster also were perceived as less credible reporters than youths in the secondary cluster (i.e., secondary variant) or cluster low on CU traits.

INTELLIGENCEWechsler definition of intelligenceThe aggregate or global capacity of an individual to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment

Weschler (1939): published improved measure for adults (introduced deviation IQ) Scoring: Typically entails having M=100 SD=15

WASI, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (1999) (6-90 years old) Four-subtest form, 30 minutes; Two-subtest form, 15 minutes

THE BELL CURVE

LOW INTELLIGENCE & RECIDIVISMThe statistical model of future offending was able to explain 44.0% of the variance through the combination of (1) diagnosis of conduct disorder, (2) absence of major depression, and (3) low verbal IQ as scored on a standard intelligence test. It is concluded that specific aspects of psychiatric and psychological assessment can help to predict recidivist offending in delinquent adolescents. (Robert Vermeiren, Mary Schwab-Stone, Vladislav Ruchkin, Antoine De Clippele, Dirk Deboutte, 2003. May 15, 2002. Predicting recidivism in delinquent adolescents from psychological and psychiatric assessment) Belgium Study indicative of cross cultural patterns Detailed psychiatric and psychological assessment in 64 adjudicated male juvenile delinquents, the study investigated the long-term relationships between psychopathology, intellectual functioning, and recidivism

RECIDIVISM Recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice. It refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime.

Jun 17, 2014 (National Institute of Justice)

THE LAW AND JEFFERSON PARISH ATD - short for alternatives to detention. Instead of keeping a juvenile in a secure facility, such as a detention center, the court may pick an option that still allows the juvenile live in the community. This includes electronic monitoring and trackers. This program is used prior to adjudication, and can be a condition of the bond or instead of a bond.

Child - in delinquency cases, a child is someone younger than 21 who commits a delinquent act before turning 17 years old.

Disposition - similar to sentencing in adult court, the judge will decide at disposition what sort of treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation the child needs- such as community service, restitution, probation, or placement in secure care.

Diversion- program run by the district attorney as an alternative to being prosecuted in juvenile court. If the juvenile successfully completes diversion, they are not adjudicated for that offense and the case against them is dismissed.

DJS - Department of Juvenile Services, provides probation resources and supervision to juveniles.

EMP - electronic monitoring system that allows a probation officer to monitor whether a juvenile is at home/school when they are supposed to be. This program is used prior to adjudication, and can be a condition of the bond or instead of a bond.

UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM

RELEVANCE OF THE CURRENT STUDY

The overarching goal of this study is to explore whether adolescents with Callous Unemotional traits will exhibit reduced levels of anxiety in addition to low intelligence quotient scores. Important to note that, although past research has established a correlation between psychopathy , C U Traits and recidivism. In this study, we intend to show that both anxiety and low IQ scores adds to the prediction of recidivism above and beyond CU Traits.

PARTICIPANTS Location 1216 male first-time juvenile offenders 533 Philadelphia, PA 151 Jefferson Parish, LA 532 Orange County, CA Age: M = 15.29, SD = 1.29 Ethnicity 45.9% Hispanic 36.9% African American 14.8% Caucasian 2.5% Other

METHODSSample derived from Crossroad StudyRecruit youths immediately after an eligible charge is filed. (target sample)Obtain parental consent and youth assent until complete age majority. Age of first-time offenders between 12-16

BaselineAn comprehensive 2.5 hours interview

Follow up every six monthsCompensation. $50 at baseline and increments of $15.

MEASURES•Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU; Frick, 2004) •A 24-item scale designed to assess levels of Callous-unemotional (CU) traits.

•Total Score

•Self-Report of Offending Scale  (SRO; Huizinga, Esbensen, & Weihar, 1991) •Self report involvement in 24 different activities (e.g. stealing, selling drugs, to killing someone, etc)

•Non-violent  •Violent

•Revised Children Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS; Chorpita, B.F., & Daleiden, E.L. 2000). • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Subscale

• A 17- item scale that assesses multiple facets of anxiety in youth.

•Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI; Wechsler, D 1999)•Vocabulary• Matrix Reasoning•IQ Proxy

STATISTICAL ANALYSISCorrelations to see determine if Callous Unemotional traits will be related to reduced levels of anxiety in addition to low intelligence quotient scores.

CORRELATIONS

RCADS GAD WASI IQ Proxy

WASI Verbal

WASI Reasoning

ICU .061* -.091** -.098*** -.048

p < .05*, p < .01**, p < .001***

HYPOTHESIS 2:STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Hierarchical linear regression analysis. The Entry method.We looked at the incremental variance of GAD & WASI scores in predicting Self-Reported Offending above and beyond ICU scoresICU Total scores entered in 1st blockGAD scores and WASI Verbal scores entered in 2nd block

RESULTS FOR PREDICTING TOTAL SELF-REPORTED OFFENDINGModel Scale R R2 ∆R2 Final ß p1 CU

Traits.349 .122 .349 < .001

2 Anxiety

.414 .171 .049 .188 < .001

Verbal IQ

.117 < .001

RESULTS PREDICTING VIOLENT SELF-REPORTED OFFENDINGModel Scale R R2 ∆R2 Final ß p1 CU

Traits.310 .096 .302 < .001

2 Anxiety

.356 .126 .030 .172 < .001

Verbal IQ

.025 .352

RESULTS FOR PREDICTING NON-VIOLENT SELF-REPORTED OFFENDINGModel Scale R R2 ∆R2 Final ß p1 CU

Traits.318 .101 .322 < .001

2 Anxiety

.389 .151 .050 .169 < .001

Verbal IQ

.147 < .001

DISCUSSIONThe objectives of this study were to determine (a) whether adolescents with Callous Unemotional traits will exhibit reduced levels of anxiety in addition to low intelligence quotient scores and (b) whether anxiety and low IQ scores adds to the prediction of recidivism above and beyond CU Traits. Consistent with prior literature CU traits have a significant correlation with low IQ scores, specifically verbal ( Frick et al,1998, Frick &Viding, 2009; Moffitt, 2006). In addition, the presence of anxiety validates the recidivism in youth.Specifically, we found that anxiety and verbal intelligence does add to the prediction of self-reported offending above and beyond CU traits.Considering our sample, higher levels of CU traits is associated with higher anxiety levels. Perhaps secondary psychopaths? Survival mechanisms? (Decety, 2013 ; Blair, 2013) Utilitarian version of harm avoidance? (Patil, 2014)

Perhaps the presence and use of synthetic stimulants that can elicit anxious responses?

LIMITATIONS & IMPLICATIONS The findings might be limited to our current

sample. Comorbid findings within our youth. High rate of other psychiatric illnesses? 3 dimensions of CU Traits (Frick et al 2008, 2013)

Perceived control and safety A sense of mastery in the environment: immunizing against anxiety? Anxiety sensitivity as a vulnerability factor for recidivism? Safety behaviors and the persistence of reoffending? Cognitive biases and the maintenance of anxiety? Rumination and pre-OCD tendencies

POSSIBLE NEGATIVE STRATEGIES CATEGORIES Avoidance Avoid thoughts, feelings or discussions Avoid activities, places that could lead to undesirable or unplanned confrontations.

Anhedonia (without pleasure) with regards out group gatherings

Numb Alexithymia (emotions unknown)

POSSIBLE POSITIVE STRATEGIES CATEGORIES Hyperarousal Symptoms Sleep disturbance Anger problems Concentration Startle response “On guard” hypervigilance

Impulsivity Cognitive deficits? Neurological implications as well as development abnormalities at a “critical period”

* Important to note that positive and negatives are used to explain symptoms added (positive) or the absence (negative) to the coping strategies

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS Principal Investigators

Elizabeth Cauffman, Ph.D. Paul Frick, Ph.D. Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.

Project Coordinator Laura Thornton, Ph.D. Research Lab Team Tina Wall, M.S Erin Glackin M.A Julia Clark M.A Farrah Golmayami M.A Tyler Brent, B.A. Beth Hertzler B.A Abbie Salcedo B.A. Austen Williams B.A

“The aim of college education is to teach you to know a good man when you see one.”

- William James Special Considerations Paul Frick, Ph.D. James V. Ray,

Ph.D. Laura Thornton

Ph.D. Tina Wall, M.S.

Thank you to my good Men & Gals of the lab.