Reduced Heart Rate Levels in Aggressive Children

Abstract

Measured heart rate levels of proactive and reactively aggressive children in resting and challenged states, while taking into account the effects of height and weight. Key hypotheses were as follows: aggressive children, in general, will have lower heart rates (HR) relative to nonaggressive children in a resting state; the HR levels in aggressives will remain low during aggressively challenging situations (fearlessness theory); and a subtype of aggressive youths, specifically, 'reactive only' aggressive youths, will respond to challenge with increased HR levels (stimulation-seeking theory). 103 male Ss were recruited from 3rd and 6th grade classrooms. The Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations (ATSS) was used as a cognitive assessment and HR was measured by a pulse meter attached to Ss nondominant hand. Results show aggression relates to low heart rate levels during a resting and aggressively challenging state. Confounds of height and weight do not explain the HR differences between aggressives and nonaggressives, and there is evidence to suggest a differential HR response for specific subtypes of aggressive youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)