Journal Article

FZJ-2022-00504

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Machine learning classification of conduct disorder with high versus low levels of callous-unemotional traits based on facial emotion recognition abilities

Pauli, R. (Corresponding author) ; Kohls, G. ; Tino, P. ; Rogers, J. C. ; Baumann, S. ; Ackermann, K. ; Bernhard, A. ; Martinelli, A. ; Jansen, L. ; Oldenhof, H. ; Gonzalez-Madruga, K. ; Smaragdi, A. ; Gonzalez-Torres, M. A. ; Kerexeta-Lizeaga, I. ; Boonmann, C. ; Kersten, L. ; Bigorra, A. ; Hervas, A. ; Stadler, C. ; Fernandez-Rivas, A. ; Popma, A. ; Konrad, K.FZJ* ; Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. ; Fairchild, G. ; Freitag, C. M. ; Rotshtein, P. ; De Brito, S. A.

2021
Springer Heidelberg

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/34201  doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01893-5

Abstract: Conduct disorder (CD) with high levels of callous-unemotional traits (CD/HCU) has been theoretically linked to specific difficulties with fear and sadness recognition, in contrast to CD with low levels of callous-unemotional traits (CD/LCU). However, experimental evidence for this distinction is mixed, and it is unclear whether these difficulties are a reliable marker of CD/HCU compared to CD/LCU. In a large sample (N = 1263, 9–18 years), we combined univariate analyses and machine learning classifiers to investigate whether CD/HCU is associated with disproportionate difficulties with fear and sadness recognition over other emotions, and whether such difficulties are a reliable individual-level marker of CD/HCU. We observed similar emotion recognition abilities in CD/HCU and CD/LCU. The CD/HCU group underperformed relative to typically developing (TD) youths, but difficulties were not specific to fear or sadness. Classifiers did not distinguish between youths with CD/HCU versus CD/LCU (52% accuracy), although youths with CD/HCU and CD/LCU were reliably distinguished from TD youths (64% and 60%, respectively). In the subset of classifiers that performed well for youths with CD/HCU, fear and sadness were the most relevant emotions for distinguishing them from youths with CD/LCU and TD youths, respectively. We conclude that non-specific emotion recognition difficulties are common in CD/HCU, but are not reliable individual-level markers of CD/HCU versus CD/LCU. These findings highlight that a reduced ability to recognise facial expressions of distress should not be assumed to be a core feature of CD/HCU.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Jara-Institut Quantum Information (INM-11)

Research Program(s):

1. 5252 - Brain Dysfunction and Plasticity (POF4-525) (POF4-525)

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Social and Behavioral Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Social Sciences Citation Index ; Web of Science Core Collection

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