The Child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder in the Family

Abstract

(from the chapter) Reviews the literature examining the child with Conduct Disorder (CD) or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in the family setting, focusing on research using groups defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. An integrative summary is provided of findings in various domains, including marital discord and status, family functioning, parenting characteristics, parent-child interactions and parental characteristics and psychopathology. Methodological issues are identified that may affect interpretation of results. Theoretical models are discussed, including coercion theory, attachment theory, and a model of genotype-environment interaction. The authors propose that the latter model offers a promising framework within which to conceptualize family influences on causal pathways and correlated of CD and ODD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)