Conduct disorder is a condition first diagnosed in childhood consisting of inappropriate behaviors that violate the rights of others. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), these behaviors include aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft and serious violation of rules. Childhood onset conduct disorder begins prior to age 10, and several factors appear to influence its development.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
The DSM-IV states that oppositional defiant disorder often is diagnosed in the early years prior to a later diagnosis of conduct disorder. This condition can begin as early as the preschool years. The features of this disorder are anger toward adults, deliberately annoying others, losing the temper often, defiance against rules, blaming others for personal mistakes and vengefulness.
Brain Damage
The University of Virginia reports that testing has been done on children with conduct disorder, and results show impairments in the frontal lobe of the brain, which controls the ability to avoid harm, plan ahead and learn from negative experiences. The child then acts impulsively with little thought to the potential consequences.
Family Ties
A family history of mental illness or substance abuse can be a precursor to conduct disorder in children. A parent who suffers from substance abuse, depression, anxiety or schizophrenia may influence the development of this disorder. A sibling who has conduct disorder or a parent with antisocial personality disorder also can affect the development of this condition.
Socioeconomic Status
A child living in poverty may be susceptible to developing conduct disorder. Some of the factors associated with low socioeconomic status, such as living with a large family or being exposed to violence in the neighborhood, may be a determinant.
Abuse and Neglect
Children who are abused by their parent or caretaker, or who consistently are neglected, often suffer from low self-esteem. According to the National Mental Health Information Center, many of these children with conduct disorder are simply reacting to events and circumstances in their lives. They feel powerless to change their life situation and often turn to bad behaviors instead.
Harsh Parenting
Different from abuse and neglect is another factor: a parent who doles out harsh and unrelenting punishment. This parenting type is overly strict, aggressive, inconsistent and gives little positive reinforcement to the child. This leaves the child feeling unloved and worthless.
Rejection by Others
Children who are shunned by others, such as parents or peers, appear to be more vulnerable to developing conduct disorder. A child may fail to form attachments to others caused by this rejection and subsequently has feelings of low self-worth. This, in turn, can lead to frustration, displays of temper and reckless behavior.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- University of Virginia Health System: Mental Health Disorders - Conduct Disorder
- National Mental Health Information Center: Children's Mental Health Facts: Children and Adolescent Conduct Disorder
