Conduct Disorder: Literature Review

The literature on this topic covers a wide range of issues and areas of concerns. The research covers a broad range of variables; which includes etiology and symptoms, as well as social, psychological and environmental issues that impact on the study of this disorder. Conduct disorder is essentially a psychiatric disorder which is usually defined as a repetitive behavior pattern or mode of behavior that violates social norms and the rights of others. This disorder is also often seen as a serious health issue in the literature, as it can lead to incarceration and has also been linked to antisocial personality disorder. The definition and the categorization of conduct disorder are dealt with in numerous medical and psychological studies. A study that covers this aspect in detail is Childhood and Adolescent Onset Conduct Disorder: A Test of the Developmental Taxonomy by Mccabe et al. ( 2001). Mccabe et al. cite the DSM-IV ( American Psychiatric Association. 1994), which refers to the two subtypes of conduct disorder based on age of onset. This study finds that, �The relationship between age of onset and chronic offending has led some to theorize that conduct disorder that begins in early childhood may be qualitatively di

This is a particularly pertinent insight and one that is becoming more accepted in modern literature on this topic. This work covers the range of causative factors that are ascribed to antisocial behavior among adolescents. The study also emphasizes the view that the causes of this disorder have multifactorial origins that involve both genetic and environmental factors (Lahey, Moffitt, Caspi, 2003, p. This study also makes the important point that, The identification of subtypes of conduct disorder has been recognized as an important goal that may shed light on etiological processes and assist interventionists in tailoring their treatments to specific populations (Mccabe et al. The article makes an important contribution to the body of knowledge on this subject in that it investigates the significance of causal pathways; for example, the study investigates the interrelationship between generic and environmental factors in terms of individual differences and the likelihood of various forms of antisocial behavior. (2007) discuss the role of behavioral and psychological interventions in dealing with this disorder. also discusses the prevalence of this disorder. The author also stresses that treatment and methods must be continually revaluated so that new techniques, social trends and insights cans be integrated into the overall understanding of conduct disorder. This study warns against easy generalizations in terms of neurological assumptions about this disorder. It was found that mindfulness training proved to be an effective method of treatment. These include signs of aggressive conduct as well as non-aggressive conduct, such as fire setting and the destruction of property. This suggests the complexity of a clear definition and understanding of this disorder and the relevance of the different social as well as the psychological variables involved.