Purpose: Both the resting heart rate (RHR) and the callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been associated with juvenile delinquency, however the effect of their interaction is not yet clear.Methods:... Show morePurpose: Both the resting heart rate (RHR) and the callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been associated with juvenile delinquency, however the effect of their interaction is not yet clear.Methods: Four hundred and twenty-three institutionalized adolescents divided into early adolescents (10-14 years, n = 133), late adolescents (15-17 years, n = 286), and young adults (18-22 years, n = 136) participated in the study. RHR was measured using a wristband, and CU traits and delinquency history were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Moderation analysis was performed to understand how the combination between RHR and CU is associated to offending.Results: CU traits were associated with offending at all ages. The interactions between RHR and CU traits were significantly related to the likelihood of offending in the early and the late adolescent. The highest likelihood of offending is related to high CU traits combined with low RHR in early adolescents and with high RHR in late adolescents.Conclusions: These findings provide further insight in the relationship between psychopathic traits and bio-physiological maturation in explaining juvenile delinquency. Show less
The gendered general strain theory posits that differences in delinquency across gender are due to differences in coping with negative emotions. The present study tests its validity over a 10-year... Show moreThe gendered general strain theory posits that differences in delinquency across gender are due to differences in coping with negative emotions. The present study tests its validity over a 10-year follow-up. We measured exposure to strain, levels of anxiety/depression, anger/irritability, and delinquent behaviors through questionnaires and interviews during residential care (T1) and then 10 years later (T2) in a sample of 80 men and 54 women who were placed in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions in Switzerland during childhood/adolescence. We observed that, in men, less delinquency at T1 and more symptoms of anxiety/depression at T1 are related to less delinquency at T2. In women, none of the emotional variables nor strain predicted delinquency over time. Results give important insights regarding the risk factors related to long-term delinquency in men but only partially support the gendered general strain theory. Show less
