Disorders of Undercontrolled Behaviour

Question 1

What is oppositional defiant disorder?

Answer 1

a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentatitive/defiant behaviour, or vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months as evidenced by at least four symptoms from any of the following categories (angry/irritable mood, argumentative defiant behaviour, vindictiveness) and exhibited during interaction with at least one individual who is not a sibling

Question 2

What is conduct disorder?

Answer 2

A repetitive and persistent pattern of behaviour in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of at least three of the following 15 criteria in the past 12 months from any of the categories below (Aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, serious violations of rules) with at least one criterion present in the past 6 months

Question 3

When do symptoms of conduct disorder usually emerge?

Answer 3

• Symptoms usually emerge in childhood/adolescence
• Onset is rare after age 16
• In a majority of individuals, the disorder remits by adulthood
• Early onset predicts worse prognosis and increased risk of criminal behaviour

Question 4

What are the temperamental risk factors of conduct disorder?

Answer 4

Temperamental risk factors include having been a difficult, undercontrolled infant, and having below average IQ (particularly verbal IQ).

Question 5

What are the environmental risk factors of conduct disorder?

Answer 5

Environmental risk factors include parental rejection and neglect, inconsistent child-rearing practices, harsh discipline, physical or sexual abuse, frequent changes of caregivers, parental criminality.
Also, peer-rejection, association with a delinquent peer group, neighbourhood exposure to violence.

Question 6

What are the genetic influences of conduct disorder?

Answer 6

• Aggressive behaviour clearly heritable

- Delinquent behaviour seems not to be heritable

Question 7

What are the neuropsyhological deficits associated with the etiology of conduct disorder?

Answer 7

• Poor verbal skills, difficulty with executive functioning, and problems w/ memory

Question 8

What are the neurological correlates (brain imaging studies) of conduct disorder?

Answer 8

Possible amygdala dysfunction

Question 9

What is the biopsychosocial model of the development of conduct disorder?

Answer 9

• This model Posits that biological predispositions in sociocultural contexts place children at risk in early life but life experiences with parents (dysfunctional and inconsistent parenting), peers (social rejection or being exposed to other aggressive children) and social institutions (in bad neighbourhoods there may not be great after school care programs, which increases the risk of conduct disorder) increment and mediate this risk. These interactions not only influence someone, but their predispositions also influence others (Aggression is heritable so how a child behaves evokes certain reactions from parents)
• All of this comes together, and manifests itself as conduct disorder. This has important implications for prevention, to try to minimize the influence these risk factors have on a child’s life.

Question 10

What is the prevention and treatment of Conduct Disorder?

Answer 10

• Beginning treatment before age 3

- Identifying families and mothers at risk

Question 11

What are some prenatal and postnatal risks in mothers for conduct disorder?

Answer 11

• Maternal antisocial behaviour
• Young age of pregnancy
• Smoking during pregnancy
• Maternal depression soon after birth
• Partner cruelty
• Harsh parenting