Comparing Executive Function Between Adolescents With Conduct Disorder and the Normal Ones in Iranian Population

Abstract

Background: Although conduct disorder during the past few decades experienced a rapid extension, few researches are done on the role of executive function in this disorder. The current study aimed to investigate the role of executive functions in task disorder. Materials and Methods: It was a causal-comparative study. The study sample consisted of adolescents with conduct disorder kept in a juvenile institution in Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. The sample of 60 patients included 30 adolescents with conduct disorder and 30 normal ones. The accessible sampling method was used and continuous performance tests and the Wechsler subscale of similarities and numerical memory were performed on them. Results: There was a significant difference in the executive functions of working memory and fluid reasoning, between normal adolescents and the ones with conduct disorder. The mean of fluid reasoning (P > 0.001) and working memory (P > 0.001) in normal adolescents was significantly greater than that of the ones with conduct disorder. But there was no difference between the two groups in sustained attention. The performance of the conduct disorder group in functions of working memory and fluid reasoning (P > 0.001) was lower than the normal group. Conclusions: According to the study findings, compared to the normal group, the conduct disorder group had a lower performance in executive functions. Therefore, to provide therapeutic interventions for conduct disorder, more attention should be paid to the role of deficits in executive functions.