A Two-Year Follow-Up of Boys with Aggressive Conduct Disorder

Abstract

53 boys with aggressive conduct disorder (ACD) and 36 with other psychiatric disorders were followed up after 2 years. Twenty-nine of the former (55%) still met the criteria for ACD; 24 did not. Persistence of the conduct disorder was predicted by the symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. The data suggest that there are two types of ACD: one short-lived and quite benign, the other more likely to persist and more serious.

Disorder as harmful dysfunction: A conceptual critique of DSM-III-R's definition of mental disorder.

“…In the case of conduct disorder, there is some evidence for the existence of such subsamples. Stewart and Kelso (1987) stated that their "data suggest that there are 2 types of ACD [i.e., aggressive conduct disorder]; one short-lived and benign, the other more likely to persist and more serious" (p. 296). About 45% of the sample fell into the "benign" group (p. 296).…”

Childhood Hyperactivity

“…Gittelman et al, 1985). Taylor et al (in pwess) found that 81% of children presenting with mixed hyperactivity and conduct disturbance continued to have a disorder at follow-up, whereas only 28% of conduct disorders not associated with hyperactivity persisted over the same period (see also Stewart & Kelso, 1987;Magnusson, 1988;Taylor et al, in press;Gittelman et al, 1985;McGee et al, 1984a). Conversely, the prognosis of hyperactivity is worse when associated with conduct disturbance.…”

Subgrouping Conduct Disorder by Psychiatric Family History

“…Nearly 50% of PACD boys in our sample have associated ADHD. This is a common association (August et ai, 1983;Stewart & Kelso, 1987;McGee, Williams & Silva, 1984) and is unlikely to be coincidental. The fact that ADHD also distinguished our PACD from our SACD groups, however, is a confounding factor.…”

“…It is clear, however, that the genetic effect of having an antisocial parent is confounded with the influence on the child of the environment often created by such a parent. The children of an antisocial parent are at a higher risk to live in poverty, to come from a broken home, or to be placed out of the home (Behar & Stewart, 1982;Stewart & Kelso, 1987).…”