Treating Conduct Problems, Aggression, and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Conduct Disorder is defined as a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others, age-appropriate social norms, and/or the law. This disorder is typically caused by multiple processes in the child and his or her social context that can negatively influence important developmental processes (e.g., identity formation, emotional regulation, conscience development) thereby placing him or her at risk for behavior problems. The authors review research that places conduct disorder and related conduct problems into a developmental psychopathology framework for guiding evidence-based approaches to treatment. They focus specifically on empirical findings that are important for guiding intervention. The chapter reviews evidence-based treatment approaches, along with examples of current best-practice interventions. Parent management treatment approaches to intervention have proven to be highly effective in reducing conduct problems in young children and are thus, an important way for preventing the development of conduct disorder. Comprehensive and individualized approaches to intervention are typically needed to successfully treat CD in adolescents. The authors outlined how evidence-based practices might translate into “real-world” everyday clinical practice for treating children and adolescents with conduct disorder.