Protecting against antisocial behaviour

Behaviour is influenced by genetics and the environment, and the tendency to engage in antisocial behaviour can be passed down from parents to their children.

Now, a study headed by Asst Prof Olivia Choy of NTU’s School of Social Sciences has found that a high resting heart rate may prevent the transmission of antisocial behaviour from parents to children.

According to the researchers, this is the first time a biological protective factor against intergenerational transmission of childhood antisocial behaviour has been found.

The researchers examined 405 parent-child pairs from a birth cohort study, who provided self-reports of antisocial behaviour. They also measured their resting heart rates.

They found that children with high resting heart rates reported lower levels of antisocial behaviour, even when their parents had high antisocial scores.

The scientists suggest that children with high resting heart rates in unfamiliar settings, such as a laboratory where the measurements were taken by strangers, may feel more anxious during stressful situations than those with lower heart rates. As a result, they are less likely to offend compared to their less fearful peers. Children with high heart rates may also be less likely to seek stimulating experiences, such as engaging in antisocial acts, compared to those with lower heart rates.