Cause Of Conduct Disorder (CDD)

In his article, “Is Your Child Becoming a Psychopath?” Michael Schroeder explains what conduct disorder is by stating, “‘A child who has a diagnosis of conduct disorder may be showing… aggression towards other people - for instance, being a bully, threatening or intimidating other, engaging in physical fights,’ [Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein] says. ‘It could be using a weapon to cause or that could cause harm to another person, being cruel to other people or to animals, stealing, destruction of property and often lying - those would be some of the types of things that would be a warning sign for a parent’” (Schroeder). Conduct disorder is types of antisocial behavior that often appear in children and adolescence.

Today, as many as 3.5% of children in the United States are being diagnosed with Conduct Disorders some as early as age three (Perou, et al., 2013). Research has shown that CD is a behavior that predicts Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms at age six (Harvey and Metcalfe, 2013).

Genetics and behavior relations has been a controversial topic for several years, however, as time has passed so has the demand for proof or disproof of the relationship. One of the most important reasons for the need to define this relationship is to uncover the truths behind violent or delinquent behavior. Also, it is important that we can weed out people who make false claims that their genes are responsible for their actions in order for us to appropriately distribute penalties or treatment. Another reason is that if we do find truths to these claims we can find ways to treat these behaviors for better outcomes. Though many studies have been conducted to reveal associations, more research is yet to be done that explores all connections and detailed backgrounds of those involved in the studies. To begin validating our theories, we must use genotyping, which is the comparison of an individual’s genetic make-up through exploration of their DNA sequence then comparing it to the DNA sequence of another individual or a reference sample. Utilizing genotyping, we are able to view the alleles an individual inherited from their parents (slide 4).

One factor that influences the likelihood of criminal behavior involves a person’s genetics. Certain inherited behaviors can lead people to be more likely to have criminal behaviors. Stated in the article "The Criminal Mind,” Arian Raine explains, “More than 100 studies of twins and adopted children have confirmed that about half of the variance in aggressive and antisocial behavior can be attributed to genetics.” (Raine). Aggressive and antisocial behaviors are found in many criminals. Research proves that these behaviors can be due to genetics, and this makes these behaviors a genetic influence to criminal behavior. Additionally, anybody can be a criminal, but gender plays a role in their chances as well. In the article “Born

Conduct disorder may be diagnosed whenever a child or adolescent seriously misbehaves by using aggressive or non-aggressive conduct against other individuals, property, or animals. This behavior may be characterized as destructive, threatening, deceitful, belligerent, dishonest, physically cruel, or disobedient. Among these behaviors one may find stealing, causing intentional injury, or forced sexual activity. The behavioral disorder does not consist of an isolated incident, but rather of a pattern of severe and repetitive behavior. However, in Jacob’s case there are signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. This disorder presents a long lasting pattern of hostile, defiant, negativistic behavior found in children or adolescents who do not

Evidence indicates that genetic factors may play a role in development of disruptive behavior disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2005). A biological structure of an infant’s brain has preposition genes and chemical responses to develop into an adult (Perry, 2002). Disorders in lifespan development are not biologically set to occur (Dombeck, 2010). Issues’ dealing with environment, education, and way of life has made changes in developments, childhood behavior keeps a child on a continuum between normal and abnormal behavior (Hansell & Damour, 2005). Several disorders currently exist in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) because studies on children, adolescent, and young adult disorders evolved from DSM-II (Hansell & Damour, 2005).

These patterns last for at least 6 months (APA, 2013). ODD has also been associated with excessive arguing, cognitive and social deficits, and significant adult–child and child–peer interaction problems. Youth with ODD demonstrate high rates of aggressive and antisocial behaviors, with a subset displaying callousness and psychopathic traits, including a lack of guilt, empathy, and remorse. It is important to note the difference between ODD and CD (conduct disorder). The defining characteristic of oppositional defiant disorder is a fight against being controlled. For a child like this, being controlled feels like drowning. CD is used to describe an older child or adolescent who has moved into a pattern of violating the rights of others through intimidation or aggression. This could be against people or animals, and include more serious violations such as theft and vandalism.. The DSM-5, a diagnostic handbook used by mental health professionals, describes these individuals as having “a callous and unemotional interpersonal style.” (Colins & Andershed, 2015). These adolescents lack empathy. Children with CD and callous–unemotional (CU) traits present with patterns of persistent and violent antisocial behaviour which include low empathy and guilt and shallow affect. Currently, CU is considered a subtype for conduct disorder, according to the

In order for someone to be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder, they must meet all the criteria A through C, and Criteria A clearly states that a client must have experience 3 of the 15 statements listed in the DSM-V, within the last 12 months. The behaviors include aggression toward people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness and stealing, and other serious violations of rules. Eddies actions do not fit into this criteria since he is not aggressive or bullying classmates or friends, and although his parents have stated that he “demolished” the kitchen or living room, it is clear he is not violent or prone to lying and stealing. The only blatant disregard for rules that could be considered dangerous was when Eddie ran out of the house and wandered into the street until someone returned him home. However, that occurred when he was four years old, not in the last 12 months. Eddie does not fit into Criteria A due to a lack of violent nature. Criteria B states that the individuals behaviors cause a significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning, however, since Eddies behaviors do not fit into Criteria A, this does not apply. Lastly, Criteria C states that if the client is 18 years or older, they do not meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder, which also doesn’t apply to Eddie. It is clear after looking through all Criteria A-C, Eddie does not have conduct disorder.

Conduct disorder (CD) represents one of the most disruptive behavior disorders of childhood.(1) CD continuos to be the predominant juvenile disorder seen in mental health and community clinics, and is of great concern because of its high degree of impairment and poor diagnosis. (2) It is characterized by a persistent and repetitive pattern of aggression, non-complaint, intrusive, and poorly self controlled behaviors that violate either rights of others or norms of society. These behaviors have a significant impact on the daily functioning of the child or adolescents and on their parents. (3,4). The prevalence of CD varied widely between as low as 1 % to as high as 16 % among children and adolescents. (5) These disparities are more likely due

Lee N. Robbins, PhD., was among the first to publish a large scale research study on adults who as children, showed deviant behavior. Her findings revealed that the majority of adults with antisocial behavior also displayed symptoms relating to conduct disorder as children. Additionally, she concluded that about one third of those with conduct disorder will be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder as adults (Kjelsberg, 2006).

Researchers have also looked at criminal behavior from a genetic aspect. In fact, "behavioral genetic research has show that genes influence individual differences in a wide range of human behaviors -cognition, academic achievement, personality and temperament (including such traits as aggression and hostility), psychopathology, and even vocational interests and social attitudes" (Meadows, 2010, P.16). There may in fact be a connection between how an individual is wired and the behavior that results. This does not necessarily mean that some individuals are inevitably going to become a criminal. However, some individuals may simply have a greater tendency "to be more aggressive and thus less likely to control emotions absent some type of positive interventions" (Meadows, 2010, P. 16). Furthermore, genetic research looks at the heritability of certain disorders and specific genes that

Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) form a cluster of childhood disorders considered to be “disruptive behavior disorders” (American Psychiatric Association, 2004). Although most violent adolescents have more than one mental disorder and they may have internalizing disorders, for example depression or substance abuse, there appear to be increasingly higher rates of physical aggression found in these adolescents who experience disruptive behavior disorders than for those with other mental disorders. The fact that violent juvenile offenders are more likely to have these diagnoses is not surprising, because impulsive and/or aggressive behaviors are part of their diagnostic criteria. Additionally, there is relatively high co-morbidity with substance abuse disorders, which are also associated with juvenile violence (Moeller, 2001). Individuals with conduct disorder have the following features but this list is not inclusive for example they may have little empathy and little concern for the feelings, wishes, and wellbeing of others, respond with aggression, may be callous and lack appropriate feelings of guilt re remorse, self-esteem may be low despite a projected

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), opposition defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are three distinct disorders based upon their respective diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. If ODD and CD were mild forms of ASPD, then there would need to be causal relationship between the childhood manifestations of ODD and CD and the adult manifestation of ASPD. There is evidence of comorbidity between ODD and CD, and also evidence to suggest that children diagnosed with these disorders may go on to develop ASPD later in life; however, correlation does not equal causation. The three disorders have subtle but important differences in their associated behaviors, underlying causes, treatment outcomes, and neurological signs.

According to research antisocial disorder causes violent acts in children of a young age. Review of literature indicates that antisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is often criminal (Berger, 2014). It has been said that people who have experiences a traumatic event in their life many develop antisocial personality disorder, which can also cause them to be very violent (Black, 2013). Researchers say they don’t know for sure what causes this disorder. Many state that how the person interacted in their early years around family and friends can be a major factor to this disorder (Gorhol, 2014). The environment they grew up in such as substance abuse, child abuse, or neglect has been said to be linked with antisocial personality disorder (Black, 2013).

My hypothesis on conduct disorder in children can lead to criminal activity in adulthood. The research that was conducted from this question was that of Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Department of Psychology. Sampson and Laub (1997) discussed conduct disorder as not being a single cause of adult criminal behavior, but instead the start to what they termed as a life of “cumulative disadvantage”. The conduct disorder might indeed be the initial cause of problems, but may be replaced by the effects of disapproving, negative reactions from others.