Conduct, Oppositional Defiant, and Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Abstract

Childhood disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) are one of the most prevalent of childhood problems, and perhaps the most studied. In this chapter, we review behavioral parent training (BPT), child-focused cognitive behavioral interventions (CBI), and other systemic interventions (e.g., multisystem therapy [MST], family therapy) for childhood DBD. In general, for prepubescent children, BPT has impressive empirical support suggesting substantive treatment gains. The CBI also has demonstrated promising results, though effect sizes tend to be smaller than those associated with BPT. It is unclear whether combining BPT and CBI maximizes treatment outcomes. For adolescent DBD, the evidence is less clear. Traditional interventions (i.e., BPT and CBI) applied to adolescent DBD have less empirical support for their effectiveness. Both MST and family therapy have a relatively strong evidence base for adolescent DBD, though treatments for adolescent DBD tend to be much more intensive than for younger children. Despite the strong evidence base for child and adolescent DBD, there are many unresolved issues that need to be addressed in future research.