Family Dynamics and Adolescent Conduct Disorders Among Nigerian Secondary School Students

Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) form a cluster of childhood disorders considered to be “disruptive behavior disorders” (American Psychiatric Association, 2004). Although most violent adolescents have more than one mental disorder and they may have internalizing disorders, for example depression or substance abuse, there appear to be increasingly higher rates of physical aggression found in these adolescents who experience disruptive behavior disorders than for those with other mental disorders. The fact that violent juvenile offenders are more likely to have these diagnoses is not surprising, because impulsive and/or aggressive behaviors are part of their diagnostic criteria. Additionally, there is relatively high co-morbidity with substance abuse disorders, which are also associated with juvenile violence (Moeller, 2001). Individuals with conduct disorder have the following features but this list is not inclusive for example they may have little empathy and little concern for the feelings, wishes, and wellbeing of others, respond with aggression, may be callous and lack appropriate feelings of guilt re remorse, self-esteem may be low despite a projected

There are two common type of disruptive behavior disorders that affects children lives in a negative fashion when not treated properly. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) “Behaviors typical of disruptive behavior disorders can closely resemble ADHD particularly where impulsivity and hyperactivity are involved but ADHD, ODD, and CD are considered separate conditions that can occur independently. About one third of all children with ADHD have coexisting ODD, and up to one quarter have coexisting CD” .The two types of disruptive behavior disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Some symptoms of disruptive behavior disorder is breaking rules, defiant, argumentative, disobedient behaviors towards authority

When it comes to juvenile delinquency an adolescent personality is usually impacted from different factors such as early child hood experiences of witnessing a crime, seeing a violent act, being the victim of a crime, or being around others or family who engaged in criminal activity, these factors can either create an adolescent with a positive or negative attitude, or an anti-social behavior which could create a path for a delinquent behavior (Wilson, p. 34). A study has shown that family interactions accounts for about 40 percent of the cause of an adolescent with an anti-social behavior, the study also shown that aggressiveness which is a common trait of adolescent who engage in delinquent acts is usually created from peer influences (Wilson, p. 34).

Conduct disorder (CD) represents one of the most disruptive behavior disorders of childhood.(1) CD continuos to be the predominant juvenile disorder seen in mental health and community clinics, and is of great concern because of its high degree of impairment and poor diagnosis. (2) It is characterized by a persistent and repetitive pattern of aggression, non-complaint, intrusive, and poorly self controlled behaviors that violate either rights of others or norms of society. These behaviors have a significant impact on the daily functioning of the child or adolescents and on their parents. (3,4). The prevalence of CD varied widely between as low as 1 % to as high as 16 % among children and adolescents. (5) These disparities are more likely due

The Freeze, Burke, & Vorster, (2014) study presupposed that conduct disorder is categorized by a monotonous, long-lasting and stubborn array of numerous problem performances in which the human rights of other individuals or age-applicable social standards or guidelines are disrupted. These problematic actions can be separated into four key groups: violence to individuals and animals, obliteration of possessions and things, untrustworthiness or stealing and severe defilements of guidelines (Freeze, Burke, & Vorster, 2014). The Freeze, Burke, & Vorster, (2014) project claimed the harshness of conduct disorder conditions can be categorized as minor, modest or austere. Individuals with conduct disorder have restricted altruistic feelings as displayed

Pupil B has learnt oppositional and defiant behaviours towards adults who try and enforce school structures. The effect is that during this behaviour B is not expected to engage. On these occasions, behaviour often results in screaming, throwing furniture or running and hiding. The latter is also learnt behaviour from his background. When upset, B will conceal himself in very small places where he will engage in self-harming.

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), opposition defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are three distinct disorders based upon their respective diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. If ODD and CD were mild forms of ASPD, then there would need to be causal relationship between the childhood manifestations of ODD and CD and the adult manifestation of ASPD. There is evidence of comorbidity between ODD and CD, and also evidence to suggest that children diagnosed with these disorders may go on to develop ASPD later in life; however, correlation does not equal causation. The three disorders have subtle but important differences in their associated behaviors, underlying causes, treatment outcomes, and neurological signs.

Conduct disorder is the primary identifying risk factor in childhood that may be recognized as an early sign preceding the eventual development of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood (Holmes, Slaughter, & Kashani, 2001). Antisocial personality disorder possesses an array of proposed origins which include but are not limited to domestic, genetic, prenatal, and educational factors (Holmes, Slaughter, & Kashani, 2001; Farrington, 2005). Early detection and intercession are preventative measure that can be taken to dissolve the progression of conduct disorder in at risk individuals and dissolve the development of antisocial personality disorder in affected individuals (Holmes, Slaughter, & Kashani, 2001). The prognosis for individuals with antisocial personality disorder, or ASPD/APD, who receive treatment, ideally, is decreased repetitive criminal behavior and reduction of antisocial behavior (Hatchett, 2015).

Signs of physical aggression are shown and they have difficulty making friends during their childhood. Boys will most likely start fights, steal and vandalize anyone’s property, however girls, will most likely lie, run away from home or use drugs (Mauro, 2010). All children with conduct disorder understand what they are doing and know that they are doing wrong. They have very little empathy or concern toward others, no feelings of guilt, and low tolerance (Mauro, 2010). The problems can begin in either the homes or at the schools of those children. Possible etiology of conduct disorder can include problems within the child’s parents’ marriage or family problems such as the child being in isolation from all family members (Mash & Wolfe, 2010). Another possible cause is violence in the home that occurs in front of the child. A child that has very little or no attachment to his/her parents and lack parental supervision can also cause an increase in conduct

My hypothesis on conduct disorder in children can lead to criminal activity in adulthood. The research that was conducted from this question was that of Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Department of Psychology. Sampson and Laub (1997) discussed conduct disorder as not being a single cause of adult criminal behavior, but instead the start to what they termed as a life of “cumulative disadvantage”. The conduct disorder might indeed be the initial cause of problems, but may be replaced by the effects of disapproving, negative reactions from others.

Participants were 60 youths from inner-city schools (30 males and 30 females) aged 15 to 18 years. Standardised classifactions placed all participants at the same lower socioeconomic status level. Participants were referred by school personnel for special help, and had reported disciplinary or truancy problems, a history of aggressive or antisocial behavior, depression or substance abuse.

In terms of Externalizing Problems, both of Anatolio’s parents, indicated on the BASC-2 and CRS-3 that compared to his same aged peers, Anatolio is exhibiting elevated behaviours of hyperactivity and aggression. In this case, his parents indicated at-risk scores on the BASC-2 and clinically significant concerns on the CRS-3. Hyperactivity includes behaviours such as being restless and impatient, and Anatolio may have difficulty controlling his impulses. Aggression includes behaviours such as being argumentative, defiant, and/or threatening to others. In terms of conduct problems, his parents indicated at-risk concerns on the BASC-2, that he sometimes engages in rule-breaking behaviour, such as cheating, deception, and/or stealing. In the classroom,

The different diagnoses of conduct disorder include intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, mood disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (Searight, Rottnek, & Abby, 2001). There are two main subtypes of conduct disorder, childhood-onset type, which is only diagnosed prior to the age of 10 years old and adolescent-onset type, which is only diagnosed after the age of 10 years old. Childhood-onset type conduct disorder diagnosis only occurs when one criterion for conduct disorder is present in a person prior to the age of 10 years old (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Adolescent-onset type conduct disorder diagnosis only occurs when there is an absence of diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder prior to age 10 years (APA,

The article that I have researched and read is on the topic of conduct disorder (CD). The article first summarizes and gives back ground information on conduct disorder. The article gives information on the symptoms disorder. These symptoms fall into four different categories: 1. aggression to people and animals, 2. destruction of property, 3. deceitfulness and theft, 4. serious violations of rules. Conduct disorder is described in the article as something that typically involves aggression and can also lead to criminal behavior, social, emotional, and even academic problems. The article introduces CD and the key pathways that go with it to give the reader a better sense to gain and understand the different pathways on how it is assessed in

Overt conduct disorder violate social rules and includes a wide variety of antisocial behaviors such as aggression, theft, vandalism, firesetting, lying, truancy, and running away. It interferes with everyday functioning at home and school. Students with overt conduct disorder “perform harmful behaviors at a much higher rate and at a much later age than normally developing student” (Kauffman 2005).