Chapter Ten: Conduct Disorder and Development of Antisocial Behavior (Middle Childhood to Adolescence)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the conduct disorder development notes.

Conduct Disorder (CD)

A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated.

DSM-IV-TR Criteria for CD

Diagnosis requires at least 3 of 15 specified behaviors in the past 12 months plus clinically significant impairment; categories include aggression, destruction, deceit/theft, and serious rule violations.

ICD-10 Criteria for CD

Disorder characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of dissocial, aggressive, or defiant conduct; behavior must be six months or longer with listed examples.

Problem Behavior vs Conduct Disorder

Not all misbehavior indicates CD; CD reflects underlying dysfunction; context and environment must be considered to avoid misdiagnosis.

CD Prevalence

Global prevalence ranges 0.0–11.9% (median ~2%); lifetime US prevalence ~12% in males vs ~7% in females; UK rates ~2.1% (boys) and 0.8% (girls).

Gender Differences in CD

CD is ~4x more common in boys; boys show more overt aggression, girls more covert antisocial behaviors; arrest rates for girls have risen in some data.

Ethnicity and SES in CD

CD more prevalent among economically disadvantaged youth; SES effects are relatively small; ethnic differences are inconsistent after controlling for SES.

Childhood-Onset vs Adolescent-Onset CD

Childhood-Onset (life-course persistent) CD begins before age 10 and is more likely to persist; Adolescent-Onset (adolescence-limited) CD begins later and often desists.

Callous/Unemotional (CU) Traits

Subset of CD with lack of remorse, empathy, shallow affect; proposed DSM-5 specifier; linked to higher violence and recidivism.

Juvenile Psychopathy

Pediatric/juvenile manifestation of psychopathic traits (e.g., callousness, manipulation); may predict later psychopathy.

Destructive vs Non-Destructive; Overt vs Covert

Two dimensions: destructive vs nondestructive and overt vs covert; four subtypes: oppositional (overt, nondestructive), aggressive (overt, destructive), property violators (covert, destructive), status violators (covert, nondestructive).

Proactive vs Reactive Aggression

Proactive: unprovoked, for gain or control; Reactive: defensive response to threat; different predictors and outcomes.

CD Comorbidity

CD commonly co-occurs with ADHD and ODD; also learning disorders, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse; higher impairment with comorbidity.

ADHD to CD Pathway (Early Childhood)

ADHD symptoms heighten risk for childhood-onset CD, especially when coupled with antisocial behaviors; this speeds onset and persistence.

ODD to CD Pathway (Middle Childhood)

ODD often precedes CD, but some CD cases arise without prior ODD; ODD is a risk factor though not mandatory.

Late Childhood & Adolescence Divergent Pathways

Multiple developmental routes to CD in late childhood/adolescence; peer and environmental factors shape trajectories.

Adolescent-Onset Pathways to APD/Criminality

Adolescent-onset CD can progress toward antisocial personality disorder and criminal behavior; fewer early predictors but risk persists.

Continuity and Protective Factors

CD tends to be continuous across development; some desistance occurs; protective factors include fearfulness, maternal warmth, and supportive education.

Biological Etiology: Temperament

Biological factors (difficult temperament) may predispose to CD; parenting warmth/rejection can moderate this risk.

Genetics and Gene-Environment Interactions

Genetic factors (e.g., MAO-A, COMT, D4) contribute to CD risk; environment moderates genetic effects; ~50% genetic variance with significant GxE effects.

Self-Regulation and Emotion Regulation

CD is linked to deficits in self-control and emotion regulation; poor regulation linked to aggression; includes vagal regulation and executive control.

Social-Cognition Deficits

CD youths show poorer perspective-taking, empathy, and higher hostile attribution bias; misinterpret social cues as hostile.

Family Context: Attachment & Parenting

Insecure attachment and troubled parenting contribute to CD; maternal psychopathology and harsh, inconsistent discipline elevate risk.

Social Context: Peers and Gangs

Deviant peer influences and gang involvement contribute to persistence; reputations among peers shape behavior and opportunities.

Cultural Context: Neighborhood & KiVa

Neighborhood risk factors (poverty, violence) increase CD risk; KiVa is a Finnish anti-bullying program with universal and targeted components.

Integrative Developmental Model (Patterson)

An integrative, developmental view: birth risk factors → coercive home environment → peer adversity → antisocial lifestyle → adulthood outcomes; emphasizes transactional processes.

Parent Management Training (PMT)

Behavioral program teaching parents to reinforce prosocial behavior and use mild punishment; grounded in social learning theory.

Anger Coping Program (CBI)

Cognitive-behavioral group for schoolchildren addressing anger management, problem solving, emotion recognition, and self-regulation.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Five-phase family-focused treatment (Engagement, Motivation, Relational Assessment, Behavior Change, Generalization) reducing conflict and improving functioning.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Intensive, evidence-based, family-centered intervention addressing multiple systems (family, school, peers) to reduce arrests and problem behavior.

Familias Unidas

Culturally informed intervention for Hispanic immigrant youth; involves parents, bicultural effectiveness training, and group support.

Prevention and School Violence Programs (KiVa etc.)

Prevention includes early PMT and school-based anti-bullying programs; KiVa reduces victimization and bullying through universal and targeted strategies.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) Link

Most adults with APD have CD earlier in life; not all CD cases become APD; early onset predicts higher risk of persistent antisocial outcomes.