Select one disorder from the Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders section of the DSM-5. Search the Walden library and/or the internet for a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed articles related to the disorder that you selected.

Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

The DSM-5 Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders section includes five disorders: oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), intermittent explosive disorder (IED), pyromania, and kleptomania. These disorders are characterized by a pattern of behaviors that violate the rights of others or major societal norms, and are often associated with aggression, anger, and impulsivity.

Conduct Disorder (CD)

CD is the most severe of the disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. It is characterized by a pattern of repetitive behavior that violates the rights of others or major societal norms, and typically includes aggressive behavior, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious rule-breaking.

The DSM-5 criteria for CD include:

• A persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of at least three of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past 6 months:
  • Aggression to people: Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others; or has been physically aggressive towards people, including bullying, fighting, or using a weapon that could cause serious injury.
  • Aggression to property: Has deliberately destroyed property belonging to others (other than by fire); has deliberately started fires with the intention of causing serious damage.
  • Deceitfulness or theft: Has repeatedly lied to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (for example, has lied to obtain money, goods, or favors or to avoid obligations, such as paying debts, returning borrowed objects, or doing chores); has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting the victim (e.g., shoplifting, forgery).
  • Serious rule-breaking: Has repeatedly engaged in behavior that results in serious harm to others (e.g., fire-setting with the intention of causing serious damage; causing serious physical harm to others; engaging in physical fights; repeatedly stealing with confrontation of the victim).
• The disturbance in behavior is not solely due to the direct effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., head injury, lead poisoning).
• The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Forensic Psychological Aspects of CD

CD is a major risk factor for criminal behavior. Studies have shown that a significant proportion of people with CD will go on to commit crimes as adults, including violent crimes. CD is also associated with other problems, such as substance abuse, unemployment, and homelessness.

The forensic psychological aspects of CD include the following:

• Assessment: The assessment of CD in forensic settings is important for determining the risk of future criminal behavior. There are a number of standardized assessment tools that can be used to assess CD, such as the Child Behavior Checklist and the Youth Self-Report.
• Treatment: There are a number of treatment approaches that can be used to treat CD, including individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.
• Risk management: The risk of future criminal behavior in people with CD can be managed through a number of strategies, such as probation, parole, and residential treatment.

Potential Consequences of CD

The potential consequences of CD include the following:

• Criminal behavior: People with CD are at an increased risk of committing crimes, including violent crimes.
• Substance abuse: People with CD are at an increased risk of developing substance abuse problems.
• Unemployment: People with CD are at an increased risk of being unemployed.
• Homelessness: People with CD are at an increased risk of being homeless.
• Mental health problems: People with CD are at an increased risk of developing other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.

Best Practices for Screening and Intervention for CD

The best practices for screening and intervention for CD include the following:

• Screening: Screening for CD should be done in schools and other settings where children and adolescents are seen.
• Intervention: Intervention for CD should be started early, and should be comprehensive and multi-modal.
• Family involvement: Family involvement is essential for the successful treatment of CD.
• Community supports: Community supports, such as after-school programs and mentoring programs, can be helpful for children and adolescents with CD.

Historical Perspectives on CD

The diagnostic criteria for CD have evolved over time. In the DSM-IV, CD was divided into two subtypes: childhood-onset CD and adolescent-onset CD. The DSM-5 eliminated this distinction, and now there is only one diagnosis of CD.