Theoretical & clinical perspectives on the etiology, diagnosis, & treatment of antisocial disorders in adolescence

Antisocial behaviour can be defined as a lack of consideration for others and can be seen as damaging to society. Pervasive antisocial behaviour can be categorized into approximately two psychiatric diagnoses; Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). ODD and CD are common concerns that adolescents are seen for clinical intervention. This study aimed to understand how theoretical and clinical perspectives of mental health clinicians influence the assessment and treatment of individuals with ODD and/or CD. This study incorporated a qualitative grounded theory research methodology to develop a theory based on the perspectives of clinicians on etiology, diagnosis and treatment. To do so, 6 professionals, from a range of orientations were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Results indicate that clinician’s appear to integrate a biopsychosocial perspective, and understand assessment and treatment to be multifactorial. Further, there existed relative consistency in terms of clinical decision making, despite differing theoretical orientations.

Authors

• McFarland, Patrick T.
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education

• adolescence
• antisocial disorders
• clinical approaches
• theoretical orientations

Identifier

hdl:10133/3712

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/3712