Questions and Answers
What is the hallmark characteristic of conduct disorders?
Which of the following behaviors is NOT typical of someone with conduct disorder?
How long must the aggressive behaviors typical of conduct disorder persist to be diagnosed?
Which of the following statements about childhood-onset conduct disorder is TRUE?
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What is a characteristic behavior of children with conduct disorder in terms of their self-image?
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What is a likely outcome for individuals with childhood-onset conduct disorder without treatment?
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Which factor is a risk for developing conduct disorder?
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Compared to males, how do females with conduct disorder typically behave?
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What type of therapy is a common treatment for conduct disorder?
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What is true about adolescent-onset conduct disorder?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Conduct Disorder
- Hallmark feature: aggressive behavior consistently displayed.
- Individuals typically perform below expected levels based on IQ and age.
Signs and Symptoms
- Manifestations include aggressive actions, destruction of property, deceitfulness, theft, and blatant disregard for established rules.
Definition
- Conduct disorder involves a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others and disregards societal norms.
- Common behaviors include initiating physical fights, bullying, stealing, and using weapons for intimidation or harm.
- Coercive acts, including unwanted sexual activities, are characteristic.
Onset and Persistence
- Symptoms must endure for 6 months or longer.
- Individuals may have normal intelligence but frequently disrupt academics, leading to potential expulsion or dropping out.
- Motivated by thrill-seeking, they often exhibit indifference to consequences.
Subtypes of Conduct Disorder
- Child-Onset: Symptoms present before age 10, primarily in males; often aggressive with poor peer interactions; low concern for others and lack of remorse; may misinterpret social cues as hostile.
- Adolescent-Onset: No symptoms before age 10; misconduct is often grouped with peers, including sexual behavior, substance abuse, and risk-taking; males engage in fighting and stealing, while females may lie or run away.
Prevalence
- One of the most common disorders among children and adolescents, with an estimated prevalence of 5.4% in mental health facilities.
Causes
- Exact causes remain unknown, but biological and psychosocial components may influence development, particularly in twins and adopted children.
Risk Factors
- Early maternal rejection and separation from parents without alternative caregivers.
- Experiences of abuse, neglect, or family violence.
- Frequent verbal abuse from authority figures.
- Conditions such as large family size, overcrowding, poverty, and parental psychiatric issues.
Treatment Approaches
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Psychotherapy: Varied techniques to modify troubling emotions and behaviors, including:
- Parent management training
- Anger management training
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Community-based interventions
- Pharmacotherapy: Use of stimulants, antidepressants, lithium, anticonvulsants, and clonidine.
- Importance of early identification of at-risk children for effective intervention.
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Description
This quiz explores the characteristics, signs, and symptoms of conduct disorders. It highlights the aggressive behaviors and rule violations typical in individuals with this disorder. Test your understanding of conduct disorders and their impact on behavior.
