Chapter 9: Conduct Problems

Question 1

What are conduct problems and antisocial behaviors?

Answer 1

Age-inappropriate actions and attitudes of a child or adolescent that violate family expectations, societal norms, and the personal or property rights of others

These behaviors include a range of disruptive actions, from minor annoyances to serious offenses.

Question 2

Name some socioeconomic factors that contribute to a higher incidence of conduct disorder.

Answer 2

• Neglect and abuse
• Substance abuse disorders
• Criminal problems in parents

These factors can create environments that lead to aggressive behaviors in children.

Question 3

True or false: Most young people refrain from antisocial behavior entirely.

Answer 3

FALSE

Very few adolescents (about 6%) refrain from antisocial behavior, while many admit to various acts of defiance.

Question 4

What percentage of high school students in the U.S. had consumed alcohol at least once in the past month in 2019?

Answer 4

29%

This statistic reflects the prevalence of risky behaviors among adolescents.

Question 5

What is the estimated lifetime cost to society for one youth to leave high school for a life of crime and substance abuse?

Answer 5

$3.2 million to $5.5 million

This estimate highlights the significant economic impact of conduct disorders.

Question 6

What is the impact of conduct disorders on criminal convictions?

Answer 6

They account for 53.3% of criminal convictions despite only 2% to 10% of the population

This indicates a disproportionate contribution to crime by those with conduct disorders.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Youths with severe conduct problems often experience serious ________ disturbance.

Answer 7

emotional

These disturbances necessitate help and intervention.

Question 8

What behaviors are common in toddlers that typically decline as they mature?

Answer 8

• Hitting
• Kicking
• Lying
• Disobeying
• Destroying property

Most children learn to control these behaviors by elementary school.

Question 9

What is the role of parents’ warmth and positive interactions in relation to aggressive behaviors?

Answer 9

They tend to be protective factors reducing the likelihood of diagnoses like ODD and Conduct Disorder

Positive family dynamics can mitigate the development of severe conduct problems.

Question 10

What are the costs associated with conduct problems in youth?

Answer 10

Exceed $70,000 per child over a 7-year period

These costs encompass various services including education, health, and juvenile justice.

Question 11

What is the continuity of angry aggressiveness over time?

Answer 11

Early signs of anger and aggression can lead to significant behavioral problems by age 3

This emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention.

Question 12

What are the four perspectives from which conduct problems are viewed?

Answer 12

• Legal
• Psychological
• Psychiatric
• Public Health

Each perspective uses different terms and definitions to describe similar patterns of behavior.

Question 13

Legally, conduct problems are defined as ________ or criminal acts.

Answer 13

delinquent

Juvenile delinquency describes children who have violated a law.

Question 14

Name two types of delinquent acts.

Answer 14

• Property crimes (e.g., vandalism, theft)
• Violent crimes (e.g., robbery, aggravated assault, homicide)

Legal definitions depend on laws that can change over time or differ across locations.

Question 15

True or false: The legal definition of delinquency includes antisocial behaviors of very young children.

Answer 15

FALSE

The legal definition often excludes behaviors that occur at home or school and do not involve the legal system.

Question 16

What is the minimum age of criminal responsibility in most states?

Answer 16

Ranges from 7 to 12 years

This age has fluctuated over the years based on society’s tolerance of antisocial behavior in youth.

Question 17

From a psychological perspective, conduct problems fall along a continuous dimension of ________ behavior.

Answer 17

externalizing

Children at the upper extreme are considered to have clinically significant conduct problems.

Question 18

What are the two subdimensions of the externalizing dimension?

Answer 18

• Rule-breaking behavior
• Aggressive behavior

Rule-breaking behaviors include running away, stealing, and using drugs, while aggressive behaviors include fighting and destructiveness.

Question 19

Name two additional independent dimensions of antisocial behavior.

Answer 19

• Overt–covert
• Destructive–nondestructive

These dimensions help categorize different types of conduct problems.

Question 20

What are the four categories of conduct problems based on the overt–covert and destructive–nondestructive dimensions?

Answer 20

• Covert–destructive (property violations)
• Overt–destructive (aggression)
• Covert–nondestructive (status violations)
• Overt–nondestructive (oppositional behavior)

Children displaying overt–destructive behaviors are at high risk for later psychiatric problems.

Question 21

From a psychiatric perspective, conduct problems are defined as distinct ________ based on DSM-5-TR symptoms.

Answer 21

mental disorders

This includes disorders like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD).

Question 22

What general category in DSM-5-TR includes conduct problems?

Answer 22

Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

This category involves problems in self-control of emotions and behaviors.

Question 23

True or false: Both categorical and dimensional perspectives have proven validity for classifying conduct problems.

Answer 23

TRUE

Each perspective provides useful information about conduct problems in youth.

Question 24

What is the goal of the public health perspective on conduct problems?

Answer 24

To reduce injuries, deaths, personal suffering, and economic costs associated with youth violence

This approach involves collaboration across disciplines to understand and prevent conduct problems.

Question 25

What is **oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)** characterized by?

Answer 25

* Stubborn behaviors * Hostile behaviors * Disobedient behaviors * Defiant behaviors ## Footnote Symptoms usually appear by age 8 and can negatively affect parent–child interactions.

Question 26

At what age do symptoms of **ODD** typically appear?

Answer 26

By age 8 ## Footnote ODD captures early displays of antisocial and aggressive behavior in children.

Question 27

What are the **three dimensions** of ODD symptoms?

Answer 27

* Negative affect (angry/irritable mood) * Defiance (defiant/headstrong behavior) * Hurtful behavior (vindictiveness) ## Footnote These dimensions predict later emotional and behavioral disorders.

Question 28

True or false: Children with ODD are at risk for developing later **impulse-control**, **substance-use**, and **mood and anxiety disorders**.

Answer 28

TRUE ## Footnote This risk persists even after controlling for common co-occurring childhood disorders.

Question 29

What is the **severity rating** for ODD based on the number of settings symptoms are present?

Answer 29

* Mild: One setting * Moderate: Two settings * Severe: Three or more settings ## Footnote Most clinic-referred children with ODD display symptoms in two or more settings.

Question 30

What are the **diagnostic criteria** for ODD according to DSM-5-TR?

Answer 30

* Angry/Irritable Mood * Argumentative/Defiant Behavior * Vindictiveness ## Footnote At least four symptoms must be present for a diagnosis.

Question 31

What is **conduct disorder (CD)** characterized by?

Answer 31

* Aggressive acts * Antisocial acts * Inflicting pain on others * Interfering with the rights of others ## Footnote Symptoms include bullying, physical cruelty, and theft.

Question 32

What are the **four dimensions** of CD symptoms?

Answer 32

* Aggression to people and animals * Destruction of property * Deceitfulness or theft * Serious violations of rules ## Footnote These dimensions help categorize the behaviors associated with CD.

Question 33

What is the **age distinction** in CD diagnosis?

Answer 33

* Childhood-onset: Symptoms before age 10 * Adolescent-onset: No symptoms before age 10 ## Footnote Age at onset impacts prognosis and trajectory of the disorder.

Question 34

What is the relationship between **ODD** and **CD**?

Answer 34

* ODD symptoms typically emerge 2-3 years before CD symptoms * ODD can be a precursor to CD for some children ## Footnote However, many children with ODD do not progress to CD.

Question 35

What are the **severity ratings** for CD?

Answer 35

* Mild: Few conduct problems * Moderate: Intermediate number of conduct problems * Severe: Many conduct problems causing considerable harm ## Footnote Severity is based on the number of symptoms and their impact.

Question 36

What are the characteristics of **limited prosocial emotions** in CD?

Answer 36

* Lack of remorse or guilt * Callous–lack of empathy * Unconcerned about performance * Shallow or deficient affect ## Footnote These characteristics must persist over at least 12 months in multiple settings.

Question 37

What is **Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)** characterized by?

Answer 37

* Disregard for rights of others * Repeated illegal behaviors * Deceitfulness * Failure to plan ahead * Physical fights or assaults * Reckless disregard for safety * Failure to sustain work behavior * Lack of remorse ## Footnote APD may develop from persistent aggressive behavior and conduct disorder (CD) in childhood.

Question 38

What percentage of children with **conduct disorder (CD)** may develop **Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)** as young adults?

Answer 38

40% ## Footnote This statistic highlights the potential long-term consequences of childhood conduct problems.

Question 39

Define **psychopathic features** in adolescents.

Answer 39

* Callous behavior * Manipulative behavior * Deceitful behavior * Remorseless behavior ## Footnote These features represent a more menacing side of human nature.

Question 40

What are the **three dimensions** of symptoms for **Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)**?

Answer 40

* Negative affect * Defiance * Vindictiveness ## Footnote These dimensions reflect age-inappropriate patterns of behavior.

Question 41

True or false: Children with **adolescent-onset conduct disorder (CD)** are more likely to be boys than girls.

Answer 41

FALSE ## Footnote Adolescent-onset CD is equally likely to occur in girls and boys.

Question 42

What is the **specifier** used in DSM-5-TR for youth with CD who display a lack of remorse or guilt?

Answer 42

with limited prosocial emotions ## Footnote This specifier describes a persistent pattern of interpersonal and emotional functioning.

Question 43

What are the characteristics of children with **callous-unemotional (CU)** traits?

Answer 43

* Absence of guilt * Lack of empathy * Uncaring attitudes * Shallow emotional responses * Traits of narcissism and impulsivity ## Footnote CU traits are associated with a greater number of conduct problems.

Question 44

What is the relationship between **CU traits** and **conduct problems** in children?

Answer 44

* Greater number of conduct problems * More frequent contact with police * Stronger parental history of APD ## Footnote CU traits predict later conduct problems and persistent delinquency.

Question 45

What is the significance of **anxiety and trauma history** in youth with CU traits?

Answer 45

* Severe childhood maltreatment * Psychological distress * ADHD symptomatology * Greater attachment insecurity * Affective dysregulation ## Footnote Trauma history differentiates variants of CU youth high vs low on anxiety.

Question 46

What does the **developmental stability** of CU symptoms indicate?

Answer 46

* Stable high levels * Increasing or decreasing levels * Stable low levels ## Footnote CU traits can change over time and are not fixed characteristics.

Question 47

What is the **primary focus** of research on psychopathic features in children?

Answer 47

Understanding the development and implications of CU traits ## Footnote Increased interest and research are changing the landscape of knowledge in this area.