Grant: Project Grant

Antisocial behaviour problems, such as aggression against people and property or bullying, are widespread among children and adolescents. The long-term outcomes of antisocial behaviour pose major social and health burdens on the individuals, their families, and the Canadian society. Thus, understanding the underlying developmental risk and protective factors for antisocial behaviour is of critical significance. Children's emotional development may serve as crucial protective factor against antisocial behaviour. Previous research has shown that empathy may inhibit antisocial outcomes. However, no research has investigated the differential role of emotions, such as pride or rage, and how these relate to children's antisocial behaviour over time. The proposed research will investigate the role of guilt, empathy, pride, and rage in children's development of antisocial behaviour. We hypothesize that these emotions may have divergent effects, with high levels of guilt and empathy preventing antisocial behaviour, while exaggerated levels of pride and rage increasing antisocial behaviour. This research will examine if children with elevated levels of antisocial behaviour differ in their emotional and physiological responses to conflicts about rules and obligations, compared to normally developed children. Our emphasis on guilt, empathy, pride, and rage is innovative; despite longstanding theorizing that the development of these emotions lies at the core of antisocial symptoms, there is far too little empirical proof. Given the recognition that these emotions play an influential role in how children resolve conflicts with peers, the proposed research will provide timely knowledge on the role of emotional development processes in antisocial behaviour. This knowledge is likely to contribute to the development of new, early intervention strategies (e.g., targeting emotions and awareness of physiological arousal) for reducing antisocial behaviour in children.