Emotional processing in Colombian ex-combatants and its relationship with empathy and executive functions

Abstract

In this work, the neural correlates of emotional processing in Colombian ex-combatants with different empathy profiles were compared to normal controls matched for age, gender and educational level. Forty ex-combatants and 20 non ex-combatants were recruited for this study. Empathy levels as well as executive functions were measured. Empathy level was used to create three groups. Group 1 (G1) included ex-combatants with normal empathy scores, and Group 2 included ex-combatants with low scores on at least one empathy sub-scales. In control group (Ctrl), participants with no antecedents of being combatants and with normal scores in empathy were included. Age, gender, educational and intelligence quotients level were controlled among groups. event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while individuals performed an affective picture processing task that included positive, neutral and negative emotional stimuli, which elicit an early modulation of emotion categorization (Early Posterior Negativity (EPN)) and late evaluative process (LPP). EPN differences were found among affective categories, but no group effects were observed at this component. LPP showed a main effect of category and group (higher amplitudes in ex-combatants). There was an inverse correlation between empathy and executive functions scores and ERPs. Results are discussed according to the impact of emotional processing on empathy profile.

A meta‐analysis of the relationship between empathy and executive function

“…Further meta‐analysis of ERP investigations found that the activity of P3 and late positive potential components could reveal participants’ empathy, whereas the early N1 and N2 components were not reliable in predicting empathy (Coll, ). P3 and late positive potential components also proved to be closely related to EF (Tobon et al, ; White & Grant, ). On the other hand, Van Overwalle () conducted a meta‐analysis to explore the location and function of brain areas involved in social cognition and found that inferring the temporary and enduring states of others and the self, as well as interpersonal norms, engages the medial prefrontal cortex, an area closely associated with EF.…”

Social Cognitive Training Improves Emotional Processing and Reduces Aggressive Attitudes in Ex-combatants

“…Ex-combatants have shown atypical EP expressions (Boxer et al, 2011; Tobon et al, 2015; Quintero-Zea et al, 2017). They present with an increased reactivity to emotional images (i.e., International Affective Picture System—IAPS) revealed via late electrophysiological responses that are associated to a reduction in their empathic disposition (Tobon et al, 2015).…”

“…They present with an increased reactivity to emotional images (i.e., International Affective Picture System—IAPS) revealed via late electrophysiological responses that are associated to a reduction in their empathic disposition (Tobon et al, 2015). A more recent study has confirmed that modulations of Event Related Potentials elicited during the EP of faces or words together with the analysis of aggressive responses and social interactions can distinguish between ex-combatants and controls (Quintero-Zea et al, 2017).…”

“…Similar approaches have proved valid in individuals with Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; Foa, 1997; Foa et al, 2005; Sin and Lyubomirsky, 2009; Akbarian et al, 2015), and also in active military (Castro et al, 2012; Cacioppo et al, 2015) and ex-combatants (Karlin et al, 2010). SCT seems to be a feasible approach to improve emotional recognition in ex-combatants (Kurtz and Richardson, 2011; Tobon et al, 2015; Quintero-Zea et al, 2017). Furthermore, SCT interventions that combine strategies to enhance cognitive-emotional regulation and social-cognition skills may be more effective at improving EP in ex-combatants in a socially meaningful way.…”

Atypical Modulations of N170 Component during Emotional Processing and Their Links to Social Behaviors in Ex-combatants

“…An important population to investigate this hypothesis is that of ex-combatants. They represent a non-clinical group with well-documented impairments in EP (Tobón et al, 2015; Quintero-Zea et al, 2017; Trujillo et al, 2017). Ex-combatants typically display diminished empathic expressions (McCarroll et al, 2010; Slep et al, 2010), increased levels of aggression and violence (Jakupcak et al, 2007; Taft et al, 2007; Gallaway et al, 2012), high proportion of a wide variety of mental disorders (Taft et al, 2007; Weierstall et al, 2013; Kaplan and Nussio, 2015, 2016) as well as high emotional reactivity reflected via emotion related ERP components (IAPS; Lang et al, 1988; Tobón et al, 2015).…”