Psychobiology of Aggression
and Antisocial Behaviour across the Lifespan
Head: Dr. Leslie Atkinson
Genetic and Psychosocial
Aspects of Aggression
Researchers from the Child Psychiatry, Law and Mental Health and Neurogenetics
Programs continue to study the interaction of genetic and environmental
influences on early-age aggressive behaviour by focusing on the role of
select serotonin genes and family and personality factors.
Psychopharmacological
Treatment of Aggression and Related Behaviours
Using attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as the model of
impulsivity and aggression across the lifespan, we are investigating various
pharmacological approaches to manage these symptoms. Prior studies support
the role of serotonin agonists in improving impulsivity and potentially
aggression. Current research includes using serotonin-based interventions
to treat impulsive-based aggressive children and understanding the symptoms
of impulsivity in people who have concurrent ADHD and exhibit pathological
gambling behaviour.
Psychosocial Treatment
of Aggression and Related Behaviours
Our research currently focuses on group parent-management training for
the parents of noncompliant children. Specifically, we are looking at
the mediating role of emotion regulation and of implementing group treatment
in community settings that vary from high- to low-risk.
Attachment and Aggressive
Behaviour
Attachment relations are consistently implicated in early externalizing
behaviours and juvenile delinquency. Our studies address the means by
which mothers transmit their attitudes/affects to their infants and the
role of antisocial cognitions in attachment and aggression.
Developmental Instability
and Violence
Developmental instability refers to slight irregularities in the expression
of physical characteristics in the developing individual due to genetic
or environmental disturbances.
Our research suggests that people with psychopathy do not manifest developmental
instability, which further suggests that psychopathy may not be a pathology
as originally thought. Current work relates developmental instability
to history and patterns of violence and aggression, victim selection (e.g.,
age, sex, relatedness, vulnerability), psychiatric symptoms and sexual
preferences in different groups of offenders. The theory behind this research
is that psychopathy may represent an "adaptive" niche for a
small portion of the population.
The Arson Prevention
Program for Children (TAPP-C)
TAPP-C is a collaborative model involving fire service and mental health
professionals in assessment, intervention and treatment of child arson.
This year's focus has been on the risk for recidivism in juvenile firesetting.
Risk and Treatment of
Adolescent Sex Offenders
Sexual offences have a high cost for both victim and offender. Research
in this area continues to focus on three themes: prediction of reoffense
among sex offenders; evaluation of treatment outcome for adolescent sex
offenders; and measurement of deviant sexual interests.
Lifelong Persistent
Antisociality
We have observed a life-long pattern of antisocial behaviour in a small
subgroup of individuals. Our research in this area involves identifying
the children who are at highest risk of engaging in such a pattern. We
are exploring four themes: identifying the best predictors for this life
pattern of antisocial behaviour; identifying factors that remove children
from
the antisocial pathway and that promote others further into this life
trajectory; predicting reoffence among adolescent offenders who are already
on the pathway to life course persistent antisociality; and designing
and evaluating treatment outcomes for chronic adolescent offenders.
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