Parenting an Adolescent with Conduct Disorder
When you receive a diagnosis for your adolescent, there is a sudden rush of emotions, guilt, and a fear of hopelessness. Then there is a shift to what needs to be done. These feelings are valid, and you are not alone. Parenting an adolescent with conduct disorder has its challenges; however, the subsequent information will give you a greater understanding of major symptoms, causes, treatment options, cultural considerations, and your role in helping your child.
Major Symptoms and Causes
Conduct disorder is not one size fits all, and multiple behavior patterns typically include disrespecting others’ basic rights through “bullying and threats, weapons, and physical cruelty” (Robinovitz et al., 2021). The diagnosis of conduct disorder is considered after one symptom is present for at least 6 months and at least 2 symptoms in the past year in multiple relationships (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2022). The symptoms are classified into four categories, including aggression towards living beings, property destruction, theft, and not abiding by rules(Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS), 2022). Conduct disorder is not isolated to one singular cause but could be one of many causes, including temperamental, environmental, specifically family culture and construct, as well as migration, and genetic and physiological factors (APA, 2022). It is important to understand that the expression of conduct disorder in males tends to be more physical and in females tends to be more relational (AATBS, 2022). While this could be deflating, you cannot change the causes for your child’s diagnosis, but you can use this opportunity to understand and support your child in navigating their treatment and recovery.
Treatment and Cultural Considerations
There are promising treatments that adolescents and their families who seek psychoeducational sessions about conduct disorder, as well as individual and family therapy, noting significant benefits, particularly those with personality impairments (Hauschild et al., 2024). Those experiencing conduct disorder have seen success as a family when they can identify what activates the aggression, understand each family member’s experience, and learn how to mediate the conflict (Skalski, 2024). Underserved ethnic groups are at greater risk of being misdiagnosed with conduct disorder when they are merely advocating for their basic rights (APA, 2022). If you feel that your adolescent or family has been misdiagnosed with conduct disorder, you have the right to have your adolescent reassessed to ensure accuracy. Your experience and your family are seen, heard, and valid, and it is important to receive care that is consistent.
What You Can Do
Parenting is tough, and now you have the added weight of navigating parenting with an adolescent with conduct disorder. Some days will feel like victories, while others you may be questioning your decisions. Know that you are amazing and doing what is best for your adolescent. There are some things you can do to help your adolescent, including seeking psychotherapy as a family and as individuals, requesting additional resources, learn and advocating for your adolescent, and most importantly, do not give up on them. Now more than ever, they need your strength to support them as they find how to navigate conduct disorder.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.) (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association.
Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS). (2022). Marriage and Family Therapy National Licensing Exam Prep (MFT). AATBS.
Hauschild, S., Dragovic, D., Kasper, L., Sobanski, E., & Taubner, S. (2024). Patient characteristics of completion and dropout of mentalization-based treatment for adolescents with conduct disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1390169
Robinovitz, M. L., Montalto, G. J., Afzal, K. I., Lichtor, S., Palepu, S., Oaklander, D., Carollo, S., Tutko, J., & Wildes, J. E. (2021). Anorexia nervosa, conduct disorder, and the juvenile justice system: A case of applying traditional treatment modalities in a non-traditional setting. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-021-00227-w
Skalski, B. S. B. (2024). Effects of Christian REACH forgiveness intervention to reduce aggressiveness in adolescents with conduct disorder. Psychology in the Schools, 61(5), 2204–2216. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23161
