Evidence-Based Methods of Dealing with Social Deficits in Conduct Disorder

Abstract

A Conduct Disorder diagnosis may be warranted when children exhibit a repetitive or persistent pattern of behavior in which they violate the basic rights of others and/or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules. Given the significant stability of the symptom profile that is present in Conduct Disorder as well as the emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties that can accompany this diagnosis, health service providers must become familiar with diagnostic criteria and their potential etiology, appropriate assessment measures for maximizing diagnostic accuracy, and evidence-based interventions that can most effectively serve children who are assigned a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder and their families. As children and their families likely will benefit most from an evidence-based approach that also is tailored to meeting their specific needs, this chapter will provide health service providers with information regarding the Conduct Disorder diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, information relevant to a thorough approach to assessment, and information regarding an array of evidence-based interventions that have demonstrated research support.