Supervisors info:
Κολαΐτης Γεράσιμος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χριστογιώργος Στυλιανός, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Λαζαράτου Ελένη, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Summary:
Introduction: Conduct disorder is one of the most widespread disorders of childhood and adolescence, which can be expressed in a variety of ways. At the same time, it is the first cause of referral to mental health centers, with a prevalence of 2-9% in children and adolescents aged 7-15. In recent years, the number of studies which investigate anxiety levels in children with a conduct disorder has increased. Purpose: This study attempts to provide an answer with regard to anxiety levels in children with a diagnosis of conduct disorder, as well as to the effect of parental behavior and chronic family conflicts on anxiety levels of children with a diagnosis of conduct disorder. Method: This is a non-interventional case-control study conducted by the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens in collaboration with other European countries, involving 120 children and adolescents, 78 girls and 48 boys. Of the 78 girls, 29 were diagnosed with conduct disorder and of the 48 boys, 25 were diagnosed. The clinical tools used in this research study (K-SADS-PL, APQ-A, CECA, CBCL 6-18) were completed by children and adolescents and by parents respectively. From these questionnaires, the entries related mainly to stress levels and outward symptoms were used, while a comparison was made between the children's and parents' questionnaires. Results: Parental involvement is reduced in children with congenital disorder (p> 0.001), as well as positive interaction (p> 0.001). In addition, parental neglect and dislike towards children with conduct disorder are important (p> 0.001). In comparing the two groups, it was seen that children diagnosed with conduct disorder had significantly elevated anxiety levels (p> 0.013). Conclusions: The levels of anxiety in children with a diagnosis of conduct disorder are elevated relative to children who have not been diagnosed with conduct disorder. At the same time, parenting practices, parent-child relationships and family conflicts seem to increase the levels of anxiety. In fact, children with a diagnosis of conduct disorder seem to maintain a significantly greater degree of reduced interaction with their parents and at the same time have scored higher levels of dislike and neglect by parents.
Keywords:
Conduct disorder, Parental practices, Chronic intra-family conflicts, Stress levels
